We've covered the free improv classes, bike safety workshops, pizza and politics events and other community events that use St. Cyprian's, the church and community space at 2097 Turk St., as a venue. But we've never delved into just what St. Cyprian's is and how it came about ... at least, not until today.
"Over ninety years ago a group of African American San Francisco residents decided they would build a church. They did so in the midst of adversity, discrimination and injustice, all issues that plague us today, but were even worse for that community back then. They had to work very hard, and after they succeeded they named it St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church."
Not having a church of their own, the first service for the congregation of St. Cyprian's was held on April 8th, 1923 in Grace Cathedral. In 1935, they bought a property on Sutter and Lyon Streets, but due to extensive repairs it wasn't up and running until 1937. Twenty years later, they decided to build a new church instead of upkeep the old one, and in 1960 St. Cyprian's Church on Lyon and Turk Street opened its doors.
Today, the space still operates as a fully-functioning Episcopal church. But outside of worship hours, it transforms into a vibrant community space.
(SF Shakespeare Festival, Cyprians Center)
In 2011, congregants gathered to assess the church's role in the community and to provide new landscaping for the building. Cyprian's Center was born through an effort to bring interest back into the congregation and vitality back into the building, In just the few years since it was founded, the center has become a very happening place . Walk in any night of the week and you could encounter a pot luck, a group of jazz musicians, or a Balinese shadow puppet performance.
Designed to support arts, resilience within community, and community itself, Cyprian's Center is a safe place to engage with your neighbors on issues people care about. NOPNA member Tim Hickey recently held a Pizza And Politics Night at St. Cyprian's to help members of the community learn about local election issues. Earlier this year the space was host to many of the events during the Panhandle's NOW! Community Festival. And if you take a step back to the 2012 fire that displaced 60 residents in Western Addition, St. Cyprian's held a fundraiser to help the community get back on its feet.
(Animal Blessings, Cyprians Center)
The religious church of St. Cyprian's doesn't necessarily overlap with its community center (although they are housed in the same space). "Our religious emphasis is on being a safe place to engage or re-engage with spirituality," said Reverend Peterson, who heads up the activities in the Center. "We have a desire to help people live well and to flourish no matter what their perspectives are. Every individual is important and should be cared for."
The list of spiritual events at Cyprian's Center ranges from TED Talks on the existence of God to church services held by members of the Roman Catholic Womenpriests movement.
"We cater to spiritual but not religious," says Peterson. "We want to answer the need for community who are seeking spiritual engagement, but are looking for a way that's not so connected to doctrine or institution."
With that in mind, the space is open to all walks of life and types of events, as long as they're peaceful, educational, and emphasize a building of community.
As for the future of Cyprian's Center, Reverend Peterson has some clear ideas he's hoping to nurture. One goal is to create a relationship between younger and older generations. He'd love to see intergenerational communities built out of common interests, such as bowling, music, or walks through the city. One aspect of this he hopes to organize would be an "elder wisdom series" highlighting the age-old method of storytelling as a way to pass wisdon on to younger generations.
Peterson would also like to see more long-term recurring events on the calendar, to create consistency in the space. "We want regularly occurring events and activities that bring the community together," he says.
Ambitious ideas aside, Reverend Peterson knows the successful formula to building a vibrant neighborhood center. "Look to the community for the need," he tells us. And now it's up to us to deliver.
To host a meeting, dinner, music performance, or any other creative community-building event at Cyprian's Center, you can email events [at] cyprians [dot] org, or give them a call at (415) 567-1855. For a full list of upcoming events this November you can find their calendar here.
