The Church of 8 Wheels is a legendary roller disco spreading “rolligion.”
Have you heard of this amazing roller disco near the Painted Ladies? The Church of 8 Wheels is the ultimate hidden gem, hosting San Francisco’s most avid skaters within a 120-year-old abandoned church. You can zoom around the rink before a backdrop of stained-glass windows featuring Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Disco music and neon lights bring the party to this unconventional skating experience!
The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is one of San Francisco’s few relics that survived the 1906 earthquake. Completed in 1898, it served San Franciscans for decades, becoming one of San Francisco’s most diverse congregations with high attendance from the Black community, as well as Latino, Filipino, and LGBTQ+ members. The church closed in 2004 due to high maintenance and retrofitting costs.
It wasn’t until 2013 that David G. Miles Jr., aka the “Godfather of Skate,” founded the popular Church of 8 Wheels roller rink. It’s open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays with a variety of fun events planned throughout the week.
Here is the skate schedule each day, according to the website.
Tuesday schedule:
- 4pm-5:30pm: All ages
- 6pm-7:30pm: All ages
- 8pm-10pm: Ages 18+
- Prices: $15 entry for ages 13+, $10 for ages 12 and under. Additional $5 skate rental.
Friday schedule:
- 3:30pm-4:30pm: “Learn to Skate” roller skating lessons
- 5pm-6:30pm: All ages
- 7pm-8:30pm: Ages 18+
- 9pm-11pm: Ages 18+
- Prices: $15 entry for ages 13+, $10 for ages 12 and under. Additional $5 skate rental.
Saturday schedule:
- 11am-12pm: “Learn to Skate” beginner roller skating lessons
- Prices: $30 for ages 13+, $15 for ages 12 and under. Additional $10 skate and safety gear rental.
- 12:30pm-1:30pm: “Learn the Skating Steps with Les”
- Prices: $20 general admission. Additional $10 skate rental.
- 2:30pm-4pm: All ages
- 4:30pm-6pm: All ages
- 7pm-8:30pm: Ages 18+
- 9pm-11pm: Ages 18+
- Prices: $15 entry for ages 13+, $10 for ages 12 and under. Additional $5 skate rental.
Sunday schedule:
- 6pm-7:30pm: Sunday Soul Skate for ages 21+
- 8pm-10pm: Sunday Soul Skate for ages 21+
- Prices: $15 entry. Additional $5 skate rental.
Find the Church of 8 Wheels at 554 Fillmore Street, just a few blocks from Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies. Be sure to reserve a spot in advance, as they are currently observing social distancing requirements.
Featured image: @zeeneinreallife via Instagram