Old St. Mary 's survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , only to be gutted a day later by the fires started by the earthquake . The fires were so hot that they melted the church bells and marble altar . All that were left were the exterior brick walls and the bell tower . The renovation of the church was completed in 1909 . Dupont Street , with its association with the Barbary Coast and Chinatown , was renamed Grant Avenue , a respectful nod to former president and general Ulysses S. Grant
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Old St. Mary's Cathedral