St Brigid

A few days ago I posted about St. Dominic's church and while I was researching this church which is also a priory, there was mention of St. Brigid's church which is located on Van Ness and Broadway. According to the St. Dominic's website, the first Dominican Priory in San francisco was established in 1863 at Saint Brigid's. The Dominicans served there until 1875 when it was transferred to diocesan clergy. So, as I walked past St. Brigid's, today, I was saddened to be reminded that the Academy of Art University purchased the beautiful building.

Now, I was a student at the Academy not that long ago and took much pride in the education they provided me while attending classes in a variety of historic and interesting buildings. I appreciate that the Academy is helping get some of these beautifully architectural buildings on the historic register and preserve at least their exteriors so that San Franciscans, their own students, and tourists might enjoy them for years to come. What saddens me is that the history of these buildings get lost as the university re-purposes them for classroom, theatre and studio use. There wasn't any historical information on line about the Japanese inspired photography building I link to, here. And, there was very little historical information about the First Congregational Church linked to above.

I would prefer if the Academy would undertake an initiative that brought the history of these buildings more to the fore. It shouldn't be a passing piece of gossip that the photography building was once a Benihana (if it even was), it should be part of the collective history of the school and something featured on the Academy of Art's website. They are very proud of their own history but, neglect to integrate that pride to the history of this place.