Founded in 1898, the Buddhist Church of San Francisco is the oldest Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) Buddhist Church in America. The first meeting place for the young Japanese immigrant men who wanted to meet and to study Buddhism was at the house of Dr. Haida’s home on 303 Sutter Street. In 1899, the church moved into a building on 807 Polk Street. This building was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, so they moved to a house at 1617 Gough Street. In December 1913, they moved to a new building at 1881 Pine Street. The congregation soon outgrew this first building, and in 1935 replaced it with the larger church you see today. On the roof of this church is a stupa that houses the Holy Relics of The Buddha, which were a gift to the BCA by the Emperor of Siam (Thailand) in 1935.

Hundreds of members participate in the various organizations located in the three floors of the building.  Along with the Hondo, main hall, on the top level there are classrooms on the second floor and a gym on the ground level.  Organizations that meet at the Church include the Temple Board, a Junior and Senior Fujinkai, Young American Buddhist Association, Sr. Young Buddhist Association, Jr. Young Buddhist Association, Sunday School, Girl Scouts, Troop 29 Boy Scouts, Young Athletic Organization, and Soko Gakuen, a Japanese language school.  Included in Sunday school is taiko lessons, the kids learn how to make and play the Japanese drums. 

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