Saint Stephen has been a beacon of Roman Catholic spirituality, a second home, an extension of the family, a place where lifelong friendships have formed, an excellent school offering values-based education, a warm and friendly community, a new beginning for some and a final resting place for others.

Archbishop John J. Mitty appointed our first pastor, Rev. Richard W. Power, in August 1950 when our parish was formed. Our first mass was celebrated in the basement of our temporary rectory at 475 Eucalyptus Drive. Fourteen parishioners received communion at that mass and subsequent Sundays were standing room only.

Helen Tinny, matriarch of one of our first families, counted 192 school-age children in our first census who needed a place to learn. Father Power was called to active duty and Rev. Joseph A. Donworth was appointed administration in May 1951 and pastor in June 1952 serving through 1972.

Key years in Saint Stephen history:

	1952		School opens with 164 student in Grades 1-5
	1953		New Church at 473 Eucalyptus opens on Easter Sunday
	1957		New Convent opens on school grounds
	1964		New Church at 601 Eucalyptus dedicated by Archbishop Joseph T. McGucken Former church converted into "Donworth Hall"
	1972		Father Joseph R. O'Reilly appointed as third pastor
	1979		Rev. Gary West ordained as permanent deacon
	1986		After hours day care program began
	1987		Father William Knapp appointed as fourth pastor
	1992		Father Mario Farana appointed as fifth pastor Donworth Hall converted to multipurpose center
	1993		Father John Wester appointed as sixth pastor Father Sean Corcoran serves as administrator pro temporare
	1997		Father Joseph Walsh appointed as seventh pastor
	1998		Former convent converted into "O'Reilly Parish Center"
	2000		New school wing opens
	2006		Campaign for new Parish Center to replace "Donworth Hall" begins
	2008		Demolition of Donworth Hall & Construction of new gym/hall begins
	2009		New St. Stephen Parish Event Center opens

Father O'Reilly once commented that "no matter where he went in San Francisco, there was always someone from St. Stephen involved." In other words, our parish's good works and community service extends far beyond its boundaries.

St. Stephen Parish has much to recall and many reasons to rejoice but most importantly, it has a very promising future.