Mission Dolores says it was founded on 29 June 1776, which would make it older than the United States. It says the original chapel survived the 1906 earthquake and fire, and it is open to visitors today.
| When | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun 1776 | Anza Expedition families reach the area of present-day San Francisco | NPS Anza Trail |
| 29 Jun 1776 | Mission San Francisco de Asís founded under Father Junípero Serra (its pages also give 9 October 1776) | Mission Dolores |
| 1876–1906 | A brick Gothic church stands at Dolores and Sixteenth Streets | Mission Dolores |
| 1906 | The earthquake destroys the brick church; the Mission itself “escaped” | Mission Dolores |
| 1910–1918 | A temporary building is used for services | Mission Dolores |
| 1913 | Cornerstone of the present church laid by Reverend P. J. Cummins | Mission Dolores |
| 25 Dec 1918 | First Mass in the present church | Mission Dolores |
| 1926 | Towers added to the church | Mission Dolores |
| 8 Feb 1952 | Pope Pius XII grants the parish church the title of Basilica | Mission Dolores |
1776: The Mission
Mission Dolores gives its founding as 29 June 1776, under Father Junípero Serra, and calls itself “the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco.” The Mission’s own pages also mention 9 October 1776, so the exact day is one we label as not settled. The National Park Service dates the Anza Expedition families’ arrival to 27 June 1776, two days before the earlier date.
The “oldest building” claim has a rival. The Presidio Trust calls the Officers’ Club the city’s oldest building, and adobe walls inside it date to the 1810s (see the Presidio history). We report both claims and pick neither.
1906 and the Churches
A brick Gothic church stood at the corner of Dolores and Sixteenth Streets from 1876 to 1906, and the earthquake destroyed it. The Mission says the old Mission itself escaped. A temporary building served from 1910 to 1918. The cornerstone of the present church was laid in 1913, the first Mass was offered there on Christmas Day 1918, and the towers followed in 1926. For the disaster itself, see our 1906 earthquake history.
1952: The Basilica
On 8 February 1952 Pope Pius XII granted the parish church the title of Basilica, according to the Mission.
Visiting
The Mission lists the Old Mission, museum, cemetery, basilica and gift shop as open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm. Self-guided visits need no reservation. The Mission’s page says guided tours are unavailable until further notice, and it does not list an entrance fee for ordinary visitors (it lists a suggested donation only for school trips). Check the Mission’s own site before you go, because hours change. More places like this are in our historic sites guide.
Still Unconfirmed
- The founding day. The Mission’s pages give both 29 June and 9 October 1776; we show both.
- “Oldest building in San Francisco.” This is the Mission’s own claim; the Presidio Trust says the Officers’ Club is the oldest.
- Admission for general visitors. Not stated on the pages we read; ask the Mission.
More San Francisco History
Keep going with the San Francisco history hub: a 58-event timeline, historic sites to visit, history tours (many free) and the National Historic Landmarks. Prefer stories people tell? Try the local legends, fact-checked.
Sources
- Mission Dolores (parish site), Home page, read 27 October 2026.
- Mission Dolores (parish site), Old Mission, read 27 October 2026.
- National Park Service, Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail: History & Culture, read 27 October 2026.
- Presidio Trust, Presidio History Exhibition, read 27 October 2026.
Dates and figures are as the sources state them, read on 27 October 2026.
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Read the guide →Questions People Ask About Mission Dolores History: Founded 1776, Still Standing
When was Mission Dolores founded?
The Mission gives 29 June 1776, under Father Junípero Serra; its pages also mention 9 October 1776.
Did Mission Dolores survive the 1906 earthquake?
The Mission says the old Mission itself escaped, while the brick Gothic church beside it, built in 1876, was destroyed.
When was the present church built?
The cornerstone was laid in 1913, the first Mass was on Christmas Day 1918, and the towers were added in 1926.
When did it become a basilica?
On 8 February 1952, when Pope Pius XII granted the title, according to the Mission.
Is Mission Dolores open to visitors?
The Mission lists Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 5pm for self-guided visits with no reservation. Check its site first, because hours change.
More to Explore
Happening Soon
- Treasures of the Pharaohs Sat, Aug 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 · de Young Museum
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- Heart of the City Farmers Market Sun, Sep 13 – Dec 31 · Fulton Plaza, Civic Center
- SF State Observatory Public Nights (Wed–Fri, through Dec 4) Thu, Oct 1 – Dec 4 · SF State Observatory, Thornton Hall
Places to Check Out
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Cite this page: Project SF, “Mission Dolores History: Founded 1776, Still Standing”, projectsf.com/guides/mission-dolores-history/ (updated ).