Star of the Sea Catholic Church

What Star of the Sea Catholic Church does

Star of the Sea Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, located at 4420 Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District of San Francisco, California. Founded in 1887 by 41 Irish Catholic families and promoted to fully independent parish status in 1893, the parish serves registered parishioners, associate parishioners, young adults, families with children, adult inquirers (OCIA), Eucharistic adorers, and pilgrims/visitors through a full sacramental ministry — daily Mass in both the 1970 Roman Calendar (Novus Ordo, English) and 1962 Roman Calendar (Traditional Latin Mass, since May 26, 2013), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in a 24/7 chapel, and the seven sacraments.

The parish's core "products" are religious services and educational programs rather than commercial technology: Stella Maris Academy (a classical Catholic K-8 school operating on the parish campus under Headmaster John Monaco) and parish-supported Nativity High School form a K-12 classical education ecosystem; religious education programs include OCIA for adult converts, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3-6), and First Penance/First Communion preparation (ages 7-12) at $100 per child. Distinctive physical assets include 16 altars dedicated to approved Marian apparitions worldwide (Guadalupe, Fatima, Lourdes, Akita, Knock, Kibeho, La Salette, and others), a restored 1889 Woodberry & Harris tracker organ, and multiple choirs (English, Latin, Ave Maris Stella Schola for children and adults) led by Director of Sacred Music Karolina Zapolska. Community apostolates span young adults (18-35), marriage and family, Knights of Columbus, Star Pro-Life, Star Outreach (serving the homeless in partnership with the Missionaries of Charity), and a Pickleball group.

The parish is a non-profit religious organization under archdiocesan governance (Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone) with no equity owners, no funding rounds, and no corporate parent. It operates on a mixed revenue model dominated by voluntary parishioner tithes and offerings, supplemented by fee-based sacramental services (weddings $1,350 for registered parishioners / $1,950 non-parishioners; funerals $200-$800; sacramental certificates $25 donation), modest program tuition, and merchandise sales ($35 rosaries, $25 parish history book). Marketing and community-building flow through Flocknote email bulletins, the parish website, the annual Eucharistic Rosary Congress (an 8-day regional event hosted in collaboration with Brothers in Prayer), the Star Speakers Series featuring nationally recognized Catholic voices, and Fr. Joseph Illo's Relevant Radio podcast "The Inner Life." Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven — the parish acquires and retains members through weekly Mass attendance, school-community referral pipelines, OCIA adult initiation, young-adult programming, and word-of-mouth — with no commercial sales motion.

Name

Star of the Sea Catholic Church

Legal name

Star of the Sea Catholic Church

Website

https://starparish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1887

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Star of the Sea Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic parish in San Francisco's Richmond District offering daily Mass in both Novus Ordo and Traditional Latin forms, the seven sacraments, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, classical K-12 education through Stella Maris Academy and Nativity High School, and 16 Marian apparition shrines serving parishioners, students, and pilgrims.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

Keywords

• Catholic parish services
• Sacramental ministry
• Classical catholic education
• Religious education programs
• Liturgical worship services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Parishioners support the repair of the church and the Archbishop's Annual Appeal through regular weekly giving. Offertory envelopes available for registered parishioners.
2. Wedding Fees: Parishioners (registered 6+ months): $1,350 total ($600 church use, $250 coordinator, $250 organist, $250 cantor). Non-parishioners: $1,950. Simple exchange of vows: $200.
3. Funeral Fees: Parlor Service only: $200, Graveside only: $200, Full Mass: $300, Memorial Mass: $200. Cantor (English Novus Ordo): $250, Organist: $250, Cantor (Latin Requiem): $300, Schola: $800.
4. Sacramental Certificates: $25 donation per certificate for sacramental records (baptism, marriage, etc.).
5. Religious Education Tuition: Children's Catechism Program: $100 per child. Gregorian Chant Class: $150 for 6-week course. Financial assistance available, no child turned away.
6. Rosary Sales: Star of the Sea Rosaries available for purchase at parish office. Price: $35 each. Handcrafted with ocean-themed beads.
7. Book Sales: Star of the West - A History of Star of the Sea Parish by Fr. Joseph Illo available at parish office and itascabooks.com. Price: $25.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Star of the Sea Catholic Church operates a traditional Catholic parish in San Francisco's Richmond District providing sacramental ministry (Mass in both Novus Ordo and Traditional Latin forms, Baptism, Marriage, Funerals, Confession), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and religious education. The parish also operates and supports classical Catholic schools (Stella Maris Academy K-8 and Nativity High School), adult formation programs (OCIA), children's catechesis, and a portfolio of community ministries and apostolates.

Product overview

Star of the Sea Catholic Church operates as a traditional Catholic parish offering a comprehensive portfolio of religious services, educational programs, and community ministries. The parish's core offerings center on the Holy Mass (celebrating both Novus Ordo in English and Traditional Latin Mass), perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, and the seven Catholic sacraments. Educational offerings include Stella Maris Academy (K-8 classical Catholic school) and Nativity High School (supported secondary school), plus OCIA for adult conversion and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for young children. The parish features a rich Sacred Music Program with multiple choirs, Gregorian chant classes, and a historic tracker organ. Community apostolates include young adults ministry, marriage and family programs, Star Pro-Life outreach, and Star Outreach serving the poor. The parish houses 16 Marian apparition shrines and hosts the annual Eucharistic Rosary Congress. The church also publishes the Star Speakers Series featuring prominent Catholic speakers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stella Maris Academy Classical Catholic school serving students from kindergarten through 8th grade, operated by Star of the Sea Parish on the parish campus. Provides a classical liberal arts education rooted in the Catholic tradition.
• Nativity High School Classical Catholic secondary school supported by Star of the Sea Parish and located on the parish campus, providing upper-level Catholic education for students completing the K-8 classical program.
• Gregorian Chant Class for Adults Six-week Gregorian chant course for adults covering square notation, ear training, sight-reading, and Solesmes Method conducting. Taught by Karolina Zapolska; audition required.
• Children's Catechism Program Religious education program for children including First Penance, First Holy Communion preparation, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3-6). Tuition is $100 per child with financial assistance available.
• Wedding Services Catholic marriage preparation program and ceremony services. Parishioners (registered 6+ months) pay $1,350 total; non-parishioners pay $1,950. Simple exchange of vows: $200. Includes 8-step preparation process over approximately 6 months.
• Funeral Services Catholic funeral liturgy services including Parlor Service ($200), Graveside ($200), Full Mass ($300), and Memorial Mass ($200). Music fees: Cantor $250-$300, Organist $250, Schola $800.
• Sacramental Certificate Records Issuance of sacramental records including baptism and marriage certificates for a $25 donation per certificate, with proceeds supporting evangelical works.

Quantifiable outcome

• Church open 365 days/year from 6 AM to 7 PM, with 24/7 Eucharistic adoration chapel
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brothers in PrayercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025Collaboration with Brothers in Prayer for the annual Eucharistic Rosary Congress. The 2025 Congress (October 28 - November 4, 2025) was hosted at Star of the Sea Parish in collaboration with Brothers in Prayer, featuring continuous Eucharistic adoration, hourly Rosary prayer, solemn Masses, processions, and devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.
• Missionaries of CharityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly service opportunities for Star Outreach volunteers to support the homeless through the Missionaries of Charity. Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity led the praying of the Rosary during the 2025 Eucharistic Procession.
• Sisters of St. JosephcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership established in 1909 with the Sisters of St. Joseph to build Star of the Sea Grammar School. The Sisters opened the school with 137 parish children in its first year under Fr. Philip O'Ryan's pastorate.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Patrick's Church (San Francisco): Irish-founded San Francisco Catholic parish with comparable multi-generational worship, sacramental programming, and parish school operations.
• St. Anne of the Sunset Catholic Church: San Francisco Catholic parish with a parish school and strong ethnic community identity, comparable in scale, sacramental programming, and urban parish ministry.
• St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church: Historic Catholic parish in the San Francisco Bay Area delivering similar liturgical, educational, and community ministry programs including a parish school and Marian devotion.
• Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church: Traditional Catholic parish in San Francisco's Tenderloin that also offers the Traditional Latin Mass and serves a comparable urban Catholic community with similar sacramental and devotional programs.
• Most Precious Blood Catholic Church: San Francisco Catholic parish offering both Novus Ordo and Traditional Latin Mass, providing a direct comparand for dual-calendar liturgical programming.
• St. Dominic's Catholic Church: San Francisco Catholic parish offering comparable sacramental programming, school partnerships, and traditional Catholic formation in a dense urban setting.
• Old St. Mary's Cathedral: Historic San Francisco Catholic parish in Chinatown with a long-standing cycle of sacramental ministry, social outreach, and Chinese-American community engagement comparable to Star of the Sea's neighborhood Catholic mission.

Others

• National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Catholic Marian shrine operation with comparable shrine visitation, devotional programming, and pilgrimage draw, but operating at a much larger scale than Star of the Sea's 16 Marian altars.
• Stella Maris Academy: Classical Catholic K-8 school operated by the parish, comparable to other parish-affiliated Catholic academies in the Archdiocese of San Francisco for K-8 classical education.

Regional players

• St. Joseph Catholic Church (Modesto): Central California Catholic parish previously led by Fr. Joseph Illo, offering comparable pastoral programs and serving a comparable Catholic community in a different region of the Archdiocese.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/star-of-the-sea-catholic-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star of the Sea Catholic Church