San Francisco designates landmark status for Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, highlighted a significant step towards recognizing the historical importance of the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples. The church, co-founded in 1940 by Dr. Howard Thurman and Dr. Alfred Fisk, is noted for its role as one of the first interracial congregations in the city.

During the meeting, planning staff member Ms. LaValley presented a proposal for the church's landmark designation, which was initiated by the Historic Preservation Committee earlier in the year. The church is located at 2041 Larkin Street and has been a vital part of the community for over eight decades. Dr. Howard Thurman, a prominent African American theologian and civil rights leader, served as the church's minister from 1944 to 1953. His wife, Sue Bailey Thurman, was also a key figure, known for her advocacy for black women and her efforts to promote interracial understanding.

The proposal received unanimous support from the committee, reflecting the church's enduring legacy and its contributions to civil rights and community integration. Dr. Dorsey Blake, the current presiding minister, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the church's historical significance and the ongoing influence of the Thurmans' work.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comments, where community members expressed their support for the landmark designation, underscoring the church's role in shaping San Francisco's cultural and social landscape. This designation marks an important acknowledgment of the church's history and its founders' contributions to the civil rights movement.