Grace Cathedral mimics the stone construction of medieval European cathedrals, but it’s actually built of something far more practical. At an upcoming talk, Gothic in Concrete: The Architecture of Grace Cathedral, attendees will uncover the history, architecture, and treasures of one of San Francisco’s most striking landmarks.
From an $8,000 Gold Rush chapel to a Nob Hill icon
On Saturday, November 14, in partnership with AIA San Francisco/Center for Architecture + Design, architectural historian and Grace Cathedral trustee Bridget Maley will explain how the beloved landmark was built in concrete rather than stone in response to the 1906 earthquake and fire.
When planning the present-day cathedral, Beaux-Arts-trained architect Lewis P. Hobart looked to Paris’ Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle for inspiration. At Gothic in Concrete: The Architecture of Grace Cathedral, speaker Bridget Maley will show how those French elements were adapted for a San Francisco landmark, tracing the building’s 50-year rise from its crypt to its spire.
Admission to the talk is complimentary for all ticket holders to the 6:15 pm AURA performance, so if you already have tickets, you can add some history to your evening at no extra cost. If you’ve yet to purchase tickets to AURA, you can save your spot here!
Event Details
🗓️ Date: Saturday, November 14
🎤 Speaker: Bridget Maley, architectural historian and Grace Cathedral trustee
🚪 Doors: 5:20 pm
🕔 Talk: 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm
💫 AURA: 6:15 pm
AURA: An Immersive Odyssey of Breathtaking Proportions
14 November 2026 18:15 + more dates
Grace Cathedral