Mission Dolores Basilica: Now

Last week my photographer Kassie and I took a trip to visit Mission Dolores Basilica. It was more amazing than I could ever anticipate. When I realized that all of the carving was done by my great-grandfather, it was really surreal. He carved everything including the alter, ceiling, stations of the cross, and more. It's quite fun to compare the original carvings prior to being painted, and then to see them in their current place. 

It was a dark, rainy day, but here are some lovely shots that Kassie captured. I'll also be adding some photos later that my family took many years ago.


Enjoy this beautiful church!

images: Kassie Borreson, Haus Frau Fotografie

Mission Dolores Basilica: The Construction

Before I visit the famous Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco, I thought I'd share some old photos I stumbled upon of Sam with Bishop Guilfoyle during construction and upon completion.

Sam on the far left

Misión San Francisco de Asís was founded June 29, 1776, under the direction of Father Junipero Serra and is both the oldest original intact Mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco. Today, the Mission Dolores Parish comprises both the Basilica and the Mission.

I imagine that my great-grandfather's work was done in the late 1940s.

Sam, second from left

(above) Stations of the Cross

images from my personal collection