St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church

51 Commonwealth Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94118  Map
(415) 751-9140
Web Site

Located in the residential neighborhood of San Francisco known as Laurel Heights, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church (Western Prelacy), with its cupola and traditional Armenian architecture, stands distinctly apart from the many houses that it is surrounded by. Immediately next to the church is the Armenian Cultural Center, which houses the Homenetmen San Francisco chapter, the Armenian National Committee (ANC), and the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF).

Organized officially as a group in 1953, St. Gregory purchased a building, at 51 Commonwealth Ave., for its congregation in 1956. That building however was not a church, and although services were held in the large library that the building housed, funds were collected over the years to eventually demolish the building and build a church sanctuary. In 1965 the groundbreaking construction began, and by 1966 the church was completed and consecrated.

Since 1957 the church has hosted an annual Armenian Food Festival and Bazaar (usually in mid September), which attracts many Armenians as well as non-Armenians to try out Armenian ethnic foods and discover the Armenian culture. Check the church's website for this year's exact dates of the festivities.