The State - News from Aug. 23, 1988

Old St. Mary’s, the state’s first cathedral when it was built in San Francisco 134 years ago, is in need of an approximately $1.2-million face lift, according to church officials. The church at 660 California St. has peeling paint that hangs in shreds, a leaky roof and walls that are cracked and stained. Buckets on the floor catch raindrops during storms. “It’s not to the point where people are in the pews with umbrellas, but we felt we had to do something,” said Lou Cocchiarella, administrator of the Roman Catholic church. The state has turned down a parish request for a grant, and the city and the San Francisco Diocese have no renovation funds.