It was built in 1854 in the Gothic Revival style, and was made a Designated San Francisco Landmark on April 11, 1968.

[1][2][3][4][5] The cornerstone was placed on Sunday, July 17, 1853, at the corner of California and Dupont Streets by the Bishop of Monterrey Joseph S. Alemany, built by Chinese laborers, with brick brought around Cape Horn, and granite cut in China.

The building was designed in the Gothic Revival style by William Craine and Thomas England, two of the earliest resident architects in California.

The church further expanded and built an auditorium, a library and a lecture room and then used that space to host events for the servicemen and women of World War II.

Old St. Mary's remains an active parish of the archdiocese, serving the Chinatown and Nob Hill communities of San Francisco.