Arthur Lenti – The founding and early expansion of the salesian work in the San Francisco area from Archival Documents, Part II

As in the earlier article, so also in the present one, besides transcribing and translating pertinent archival documents (chiefly letters), I will try to provide an essential historical framework designed to make the sequence intelligible.

Beyond this, my main concern is simply to bring to my readers’ attention this body of original archival material pertaining to the beginnings of the Salesian work in the United States while the celebrations of the centenary of the founding proceed apace toward their solemn conclusion in March 1998.

In this article, then, I will first present available documentation relating to the beginning of the Salesian work at Corpus Christi Church in San Francisco. Next, I will describe the beginnings of the work in Oakland. Finally I will return to SS. Peter and Paul with brief comments and documentation about developments after the founding and about the reconstruction after the great earthquake and fire of 1906.

Contents:

• Introduction
  • Preliminary Comment: The Salesian Province of St. Philip the Apostle for North America
  • I. The Church of Corpus Christi at the “Mission Street Gardens”
  • II. St. Joseph Portuguese Church, Oakland, CA
  • III. Developments at SS. Peter and Paul: Earthquake, Fire, and Reconstruction
  • IV. One Last Letter
  • Envoi and Conclusion
• Appendix I. Salesian Personnel San Francisco-Oakland 1897-1910
• Appendix II: Biographical Sketches

Reference time period: 1897 – 1910

Reference institution:
Institute of Salesian Studies