Saint Ambrose Catholic Church

1145 Gilman Street
Berkeley

The parish of Saint Ambrose was established on December 7, 1909 by Archbishop Patrick W. Riordan of San Francisco.  The first church was a wood frame building with shingled exterior.  It faced Gilman Street in the location of the present rectory.  The first mass in that building was held on Christmas Day 1910.  The old church was demolished after completion of the new church in order to move the rectory from its temporary location in the parking lot on the south side of Gilman Street.

The new (present) church was designed in Gothic style by architect Vincent Buckley of San Francisco.  The general contractors, Carrico and Gautier of San Francisco completed the steel reinforced concrete structure in 1952.  It was dedicated on December 7, 1952 by Archbishop John J. Mitty.

The beautiful stained glass windows were designed and crafted by Carl Huneke, Century Stained Glass Studio, San Francisco.  They are in traditional leaded cathedral glass in an English style.  The exquisite faces, graceful forms and long draped garments are the hallmarks of Carl Huneke’s art.  The windows were installed in 1952 as the church was completed.