History of the Interfaith Center
The Interfaith Center at the Presidio is . . .
- A San Francisco Bay Area interfaith friendship-building nonprofit organization, welcoming people of all faiths
- An inter-religious advocate of peacemaking among religions, locally and globally
- A regional resource for developing relationships among the diverse religious communities of the Bay Area
- A resource for ministering to veterans and their families and honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for their country
When Congress decided the Presidio of San Francisco would become a national park, the National Park Service asked, “What kind of activities should go on in the 800 buildings of this park!?” When “swords into plowshares” surfaced as part of the answer in late 1992, the religious community responded. The San Francisco Interfaith Council took the lead in gathering a coalition of Bay Area interfaith organizations and forming a steering committee. Their goal – to create a long-term interfaith bridge-building presence in the nation’s newest national park.
As plans developed, the committee discovered the Main Post Chapel, one of the Presidio’s most beautiful buildings, and today known as the Presidio Chapel. Built in 1931 by the U.S. Sixth Army, the Chapel’s Spanish mission revival architecture is graced by magnificent stained-glass windows and a magnificent fresco. The Chapel’s historic use has been interfaith worship – a sanctuary available to different religions. The fit was perfect for an Interfaith Center whose mission is to welcome, serve, and celebrate the diverse faith traditions and spiritual wisdom of the Bay Area and beyond. The Steering Committee went to work.
As plans developed, the committee discovered the Main Post Chapel, one of the Presidio’s most beautiful buildings, and today known as the Presidio Chapel. Built in 1931 by the U.S. Sixth Army, the Chapel’s Spanish mission revival architecture is graced by magnificent stained-glass windows and a magnificent fresco. The Chapel’s historic use has been interfaith worship – a sanctuary available to different religions. The fit was perfect for an Interfaith Center whose mission is to welcome, serve, and celebrate the diverse faith traditions and spiritual wisdom of the Bay Area and beyond. The Steering Committee went to work.
BEYOND THE BAY AREA
BEYOND THE BAY AREA With United Religions Initiative
With Parliament of the World’s Religions
With North American Interfaith Network
- A dozen ICP board members and staff have served on URI’s original Board and subsequent Global Council
- Became a founding Cooperation Circle (2000)
- Host periodic gatherings of Bay Area URI Circles and the URI Global Council
With Parliament of the World’s Religions
- Three or more ICP staff and/or trustees have attended all the modern Parliaments; most have facilitated and been presenters in Parliament workshops
- Staff and/or trustees have attended all the Parliament’s Golden Institutes, starting in 2002
- Helped organize, host, and sponsor the Bridge Cooperation Circle, dedicated to cooperation and collaboration between URI and the Parliament
With North American Interfaith Network
- Participating member of NAIN since 1997
- Represented on NAIN’s board since 2003
- Hosted and planned NAINConnect 2008 – Embracing Our Interfaith Future – celebrating NAIN’s 20th anniversary (five-day conference, 50 presenters, 250+ participants)
