A couple of months later a temporary church was built facing Market Street on the land where the Palace Hotel stands today.

After the Civil War droves of people immigrated to San Francisco and the need for a bigger church grew.

The rebuild of the church included importing Ireland Caen stone and green translucent marble of Connemara, and Irish artist Mia Cranwill designed the main altar's metal crucifix.

Later on, as the redevelopment of the Yerba Buena area occurred, the church remained unchanged as its surroundings were transforming into a modern look into the new millennium.

[4][5] The church features Gothic Revival architecture, with ribbed vaults, pointed arches, a central nave and two side aisles of lower height.

Decorating the church are Tiffany-style stained glass windows depicting the patron saints of Ireland's 32 counties.