I'm very interested to know how Brotherhood way got its present shape. I've been to many places in the world but I have never seen one specific street especially zoned off for houses of worship. How did that happen? When did it happen? Why did it happen? What was there before the chyrches? The questions are many, answers none. Grateful if anybody can help/Pierre

-- Pierre Thell (thell2@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002

Answers

This is a good question and I wish I knew more. Brotherhood Wy was configured in the 1960's from the old Stanly Drive. The configuration took place because of the new 280 expressway aligning itself with the Alemany interchange.

Since George Christopher was mayor around that time and since Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (Christopher's church) was one of the first houses of worship to break ground on Brotherhood, I always assumed he was involved with the ideal of "Holy Row."

-- Kurt Iversen (iversenk@aol.com), April 09, 2002.

Not much to add, but the street had been a natural drainage to Lake Merced, and burrowing birds such as bank swallows used to nest along the creek. Old swallow burrows remain behind the Armenian Church there.

-- George (usfour@mindspring.com), October 06, 2002.

We were involved in the reforming of Brotherhood Way. St. Thomas Moore was already at the top of the drive and the city decided (Probably influenced by Mayor Christopher) to make it a drive of places of worship. Ellis Brooks the Chevrolet dealer was a member of the church of Christ at the time located on 17th St. SF and put in a bid for this small congregation to purchase and build a "protestant" church. Then it was a Synogogue and Greek Orthodox and Masonic Temple.

When it was Stanley drive it was a drag run for 50's kids. My brother was arrested for playing "chicken" on this drive! Whoever stopped or turned away before going into the Lake (lake Merced) would be the loser. It seemed "way out in the country" at this time.

-- Ron Roloff (ron@roloff.info), August 04, 2003.

We played on Brotherhood Way, before it became Brotherhood Way, in the late 40's. It was designated just for religious structures, not sure when. Is it still designated for that? Why? Because a developed, hand picked by the S.F. Planning Dept. has decided to build townhouses and duplexes there. Anyone know anything about this, and how could a non-religious group do this? Shirley

-- Shirley Selby (selbygang@sbcglobal.net), November 15, 2003.