Sunset Ward (CA)

Today I'd like to highlight a beautiful building in San Francisco which houses the Sunset Ward.

Originally built in 1945, the building had some really wonderful artwork and features that made it unique. It has since been remodeled and lost many of these features, but it still stands today.

Above the main entrance to the chapel was a relief sculpture by Anna Stevenson. It showed Joseph Smith next to the scripture "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God."

(Image Source: Church History Library)

 She also designed a small sculpture at the front of the building that shows a beehive and seagull.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The sculpture over the door was removed in a subsequent renovation, and is now in the collection of the Church History Museum. The smaller sculpture remains, but it is no longer painted, and isn't as noticeable.

(Image Source: Google Maps)

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The chapel itself was also unique. It had theatre seats for the congregation instead of benches, a unique pulpit that had inset boxes for scriptures, and a large charcoal drawing of Christ, done by Ernest Semereau as his contribution.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

The remodel of this chapel changed the look significantly, adding dark wood, removing the chairs and putting in pews, and changing the color scheme. The picture of Christ was removed at some point until it was hung again in the lobby in 1978.

(Image Source: LDS Architecture)

The choice of art and architecture was entirely done by local members. For example, the room with the baptismal font had a stained glass window donated by Sister Quealey, a member of the McCune family from Salt Lake City, which originally hung in the McCune home. It had very little religious significance in and of itself, but the beauty of the window was apparently enough for its selection by the Bishop and its placement in the baptistry. It shows a nymph standing tall. The baptismal font was removed in a later renovation, and the window is presumably in the Church's art collection.

(Image Source: Church History Library)

Due to cultural and fiscal trends, membership of the Church in the Bay Area has declined significantly in recent years, but the building continues to serve a ward and a branch. While it has been changed significantly, a lot of its charm remains, and the renovation overall did a good job of preserving the building's character.