Hua Zang Si Temple (San Francisco, California)

 buddhist temple  Add category

3126 22nd St
San Francisco, CA 94110-3219
(415) 920-9816

www.sacred-destinations.com/usa/san-francisco-hua-zang-...

A non-denominational Chinese Buddhist temple, Hua Zang Si is housed in an old Gothic Lutheran church building in the Mission District of San Francisco. The temple, which opened in 2004, prides itself on the orthodoxy of its teachings and the rare splendor of its religious treasures.
The impressive building that houses Hua Zang Si was constructed shortly after 1900 as St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Built in a Gothic Revival style, the church served the local German immigrant community who worked at the tanneries and breweries along Precita Creek. The building narrowly escaped the fires that followed the great earthquake of 1906.

By the close of the 20th century, the European immigrant families that remained in San Francisco had mostly moved to the west of the city and the neighborhood welcomed a growing Latino community instead. In 1992, the congregation that met in St. John's Church voted to move to a church around the corner, which would be named St. Mary and St. Martha Lutheran Church.

The old Lutheran church was deconsecrated and became a private residence. Plans were underway to turn it into condominiums when the United International World Buddhism Association purchased it and the adjoining parish residence for $2.5 million in 2002. The church building was left intact but given a dramatic makeover with red paint, Chinese-style doors, and a fully remodeled interior.

The temple was opened on December 26, 2004, the birthday of Amidha Buddha, with a ceremony featuring rituals from various traditions.