Person Page - 2

     Jennifer Dankwerth was born on 15 May 1971 in Daly City, San Mateo Co., CA, USA. She married Christopher Keith Strunk.
     Her married name was Strunk.

     Christopher Keith Strunk was born circa 1970. He married Jennifer Dankwerth, daughter of Richard E. Dankwerth and Lorna Catherine Vella.

     Aiden Strunk was born on 7 August 2003 in Burlingame, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.

     Allyson Strunk was born on 3 June 2005 in Santa Rosa, CA, USA.

     Angelo Salvatore Dimech was born on 15 November 1930 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Donna Fenech, daughter of Dominic Fenech and Victoria Fenech, in 1954.¹ Angelo Salvatore Dimech died on 19 April 2017 at Walnut Creek, CA, USA, at age 86.
     He emigrated from Malta on 27 June 1950 to Hoboken, NJ, USA.¹ He served in the military between October 1951 and 1953 at St. Louis, MO, USA, Korean War veteran; US Marines, private first class, #1197200; boot camp Camp Pendleton, San Diego; did not go to Korea; also served 6 years in reserves. He was a Linotypist (typesetter.)
Donna Fenech Maltese Club at Dearborn, MI, USA. Angelo Salvatore Dimech ended military service in US Marine Corps reserves on 26 August 1959. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Ass. Secretary, 73; Auditor, 81; Supported remodel of Maltese Club in 1968 at San Francisco, CA, USA. As of 4 January 2012, Angelo Salvatore Dimech and Martin Andrew Plack lived at 316 York Court, Walnut Creek, CA, USA; dimech7@aol.com
cell: 925-300-6570.¹ Angelo Salvatore Dimech contributed his family's genealogy to MHS on 4 January 2012.
Angelo Salvatore Dimech Family nickname: Ta' Zinna. Research: A cousin of Angelo Dimech.

     Donna Fenech was born on 5 May 1936 in Mosta, Malta.² She married Angelo Salvatore Dimech, son of Carmelo Dimech and Domenica Fenech, in 1954.²
     Donna Fenech was also known as Domenica Fenech. She was educated elementary school. She emigrated from Malta SS Atlantic, without family; she saw snow for first time in Halifax, Canada on 24 January 1953 to Hoboken, NJ, USA.² She was a J L Hudson Dept Store at Detroit, MI, USA. Her married name was Dimech.²
Donna Fenech Maltese Club at Dearborn, MI, USA. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Ass. Secretary, 73; Auditor, 81; Supported remodel of Maltese Club in 1968 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She contributed her her family family's genealogy to MHS in January 2012. She and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2022 in 316 York Court, Walnut Creek, CA, USA; Sally Dimech.
Donna Fenech Family name: Tal-Kak.

     Charles Dominic Dimech was born on 31 October 1956 in St. Louis, MO, USA.¹ He married (?) Devita.²
     Charles Dominic Dimech and Joseph Lawrence Dimech began military service at Fort Ord, Monterey Co., CA, USA, US Army. Charles Dominic Dimech was living in 2022 in Benicia, CA, USA.

     Michael Dimech was born on 5 September 1958 in Detroit, MI, USA.¹ He married Jeanne Barry.²
     Michael Dimech was educated Serra High School; Skyline College; San Francisco State University, BA in Accounting in 1985. He was a 10 years as a journeyman butcher; 36 years with Chevron in payroll and disability administration management. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2000. He was associated; Young Men's Institute: a Catholic men's fraternal organization founded in San Francisco in 1883. He has been very involved in fund raising for them. He is. Research: Treasurer, 2015- in 2013. He was living in 2022 in South San Francisco, CA, USA; 205 Hazelwood Dr,
South San Francisco, CA 94080 (650) 589-2111.

     James Dimech was born on 27 April 1962 in Dearborn, MI, USA.¹
     He was a School District principal.

     Matthew Charles Dimech was born on 11 January 1989 in San Mateo Co., CA, USA.¹

     Laura Elizabeth Dimech was born on 11 September 1989 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.^1,2
     She was a a school principal in 2024.

     Caroline Dominica Dimech was born on 13 October 1991 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Brendan Patrick Dimech was born on 26 January 1992 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     He was a an auditor in 2024.

     Lisa Marie Dimech was born on 26 November 1993 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
     She was a a registered nurse in 2024.

     Amanda Dimech was born on 13 November 1995.¹

     Kaitlyn Dimech was born on 29 July 1997 in Walnut Creek, CA, USA.¹

     Julia Dimech was born on 14 April 1999 in Walnut Creek, CA, USA.¹

     Carmelo Dimech was born on 2 February 1887 in Mosta, Malta; Passenger List: Feb 1, 1887.¹ He married Domenica Fenech, daughter of Joseph Fenech and Domenica (?), at Malta.¹ Carmelo Dimech was issued a Maltese Passport age 26 on 4 March 1913. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.² He died on 15 February 1970 at Mosta, Malta, at age 83.¹
     He emigrated from Malta between 1914 and 1917 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, and returned to Malta in 1917.¹ He was a a baker.

     Domenica Fenech was born on 15 August 1900 in Mosta, Malta.¹ She married Carmelo Dimech, son of Giuseppe Dimech and Grazia Maria Vella, at Malta.¹ Domenica Fenech died on 15 January 1981 at age 80.¹
     Her married name was Dimech.¹
Domenica Fenech Angelo's questionnaire responses indicate his mother as Giuzeppa Muscat; family nickname = Ta L'Ghawki.

     Giuseppe Dimech was born in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Grazia Maria Vella.¹

     Grazia Maria Vella was born in Mosta, Malta.¹ She married Giuseppe Dimech.¹
     Her married name was Dimech.¹

     Joseph Fenech was born in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Domenica (?)¹

     Domenica (?) was born in Mosta, Malta.¹ She married Joseph Fenech.¹
     Her married name was Fenech.¹

     Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. was born on 3 July 1891 in Sliema, Malta; age 38 in 1930 census; age 48 in 1940 census.² He was issued a Maltese Passport Rev. Teofilo Cachia, age 25, religious Franciscan on 2 November 1916. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.² He died on 24 September 1959 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, at age 68. Biography Father Cachia would invite kids to drink hot choolate in the rectory breakffast room, sending one of them to go get donuts. He would take kids on trips to Muir Woods, the San Francisco Zoo, and to Playland.
He sponsored many Maltese on their Naturalization papers. He was buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. was also known as Teofilo Cachia. He was ordained on 29 May 1915; as a Franciscan Catholic priest. He emigrated from Malta from Naples, Italy on 24 November 1916.³ He emigrated from on the Canopic on 10 December 1916.

Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 14 April 1917: First mention in SF Chronicle in 1917: "A congregation composed entirely of Maltese worshipers in the chapel at 1509 Oakdale avenue, under the direction of Rev. Theophilus Cashia, a Maltese member of the Franciscan Order, who came here from the Isle of Malta.
He registered for the WWI draft on 5 June 1917 at 3215 Army St., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, age 25, Franciscan Father, employed Italian Church, 3255 Folsom.⁴
Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. Became pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church on Oakdale Ave. When Fr. Azzopardi retired in November 1919, Fr. Theophilus Cachia, OFM, another priest from the Maltese province, became pastor. He enlarged and remodeled the original frame church building, installing concrete foundations, a stucco front, and a concrete stairway and bulwark. The good works of the Shipwreck parishioners under Fr. Theophilus’ leadership was celebrated in a dedication mass on February 12, 1922.

After the retirement of the Rev. A. Azzopardi in 1919, another Maltese priest took over the running of the parish. This was the Rev. Theophilus Cachia who had been living previously in a nearby parish. Both priests belonged to the Maltese Franciscans. Father Cachia modified and enlarged the hall. On February 12, 1922, the hall was consecrated as a church by the archbishop of San Francisco and was given the official title of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Maltese Church. The parish was situated at 1509, Oakdale Avenue.

Many in his Maltese community disagreed with his giving up the parish to the Santa Barbara Franciscan Province. Apparently, it had been a missionary outpost of the Maltese Franciscans until then. He was not considered a good fundraiser, but then neither was St. Francis! In 1919.
: Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M.: was second pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, for 34 years between 1919 and 1953. He was listed in the 1920 US Census, age 28, church clergyman; with Franciscan brothers, in Army St., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁵ He was naturalized on 28 December 1922 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.
Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. US Passport to visit parents and tour Italy and France on 16 July 1924. He emigrated from on the Majestic on 23 December 1924. He and John Cachia were listed in the 1930 US Census age 38, Roman Catholic Church Parish Priest; borther John, church janitor in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁶ Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. emigrated from on Aquitania on 14 August 1931. He emigrated from on Vulcania on 5 September 1938. He was listed in the 1940 US Census age 48, Rev. Father in 1505 Oakdale, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.⁷ He received military draft notice in 1942 at 1505 Oakdale, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, age 50, Catholic priest.⁸ He and Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM were listed in the 1950 US Census age 59, pastor, Roman Catholic Church; Fr. Benny, age 28, assistant; John, 55, domestic servant in Oakdale Ave, San Francisco, CA, USA. Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. emigrated from on Saturnia on 1 September 1951. He emigrated from on Andrea Doria on 29 June 1954.

Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 26 September 1959: Fr. Cachia Rites Set For Monday - Requiem High Mass for the Rev. Theophilus Cachia. O.F.M., pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church for 34 years, will be held at the church at 1509 Oakdale Ave., at 10 a. m. Monday. Father Cachia died of a heart attack at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Buena Vista Ave., Thursday. He was 68. A native of Malta, he was ordained priest 44 years ago, and came to San Francisco in 1916. Father Cachia was also chaplain of the Italian Catholic Federation Branch 29, the Catholic Ladies Aid Society Branch 69, the Mother Cabrini Society, and the Maltese-American Social Club The rosary will be recited at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church tonight at 8 o’clock and the Friar’s Office of the Dead will be recited at 8 o’clock tomorrow night.
Obituary: on 27 September 1959: CACHIA— In this city. Sept. 24, 1959. Rev. Theophilus Cachia. O.F.M.. priest for 44 years. loving son of the late Angelo and Josephine Cachia; loving brother of John Cachia of S. F. and Emanuel Cachia of Woodside, Lawrence Cachia of New York, Julian Cachia of Detroit, Dolores Barbara of Australia and the late Samuel Cachia and Carmela Barbara; brother-in-law of Olga Cachia of Woodside; uncle of Sr. Marie Louise of Australia and Josephine Hallet of National City. A native of Sliema, Malta; aged 68 years. Chaplain of Italian Catholic Federation, Branch No. 29; Catholic Ladies Aid Society, Branch 69: Mother Cabrini Society: Past Chaplain of District Council of the Italian Catholic Federation, and chaplain of Maltese American Social Club.

Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. was mentioned in the Catholic Monitor on 2 October 1959: A Solemn Requiem High Mass was offered on Monday for the repose of the soul of Father Theophiius Cachia, 0.F.M., at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church in San Francisco, where he served as pastor for 34 years. Burial was in Holy Cross cemetery. Father Theophiius, a native of Sliema, Malta, where he was ordained a Franciscan priesL died Sept. 24 in St Joseph’s hospital. He was 68. A priest for 44 years. Father Theophiius came to San Francisco in 1916, and was pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church from 1919 to 1953. In addition to serving at the Maltese and Italian national church, he was past district council chaplain of the Italian Catholic Federation and chaplain of Branch No. 69. He was also the chaplain of the Mother Cabrini society and the Maltese American Social club. Father Theophiius is survived by three brothers, John Cachia of San Francisco; Emanuel Cachia of Woodside; Lawrence Cachia of New York, and two sisters, Julia Cachia of Detroit; Dolores Barbara of Australia.
Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. a Franciscan priest.

     Angelo Cachia was born in Malta. He married Josefa Zarb.¹
     Research: Angelo Cachia: Passenger Application #280; date of issue: 13.08.1894;
Father: Calcedonio
born 22.11.1874
age 19

BP: Attard
Destination: Algeria, Bone.² Research: Children: Dolores Cachia, Iriofone Cachia, Julian Cachia, Lawrence Cachia, Samuel Cachia, Emanuel Cachia 1888 – 1970, Theophilus Cachia 1891 – 1959, John Cachia 1896 – 1978.

     Fr Andrew Azzopardi OFM was born on 9 February 1870 in Zebbug, Malta.² He was issued a Maltese Passport age 58 on 13 June 1928. Declared destination was Italy. He was issued a Maltese Passport age 66, on vacation on 4 July 1936. Declared destination was Tunisia.²
     Fr Andrew Azzopardi OFM In 1913, some 300 immigrants from that same island of Malta settled in the Bay View Hunter’s Point area of San Francisco. Encompassing a strong sense of family and faith, they teamed up with the Italian community, petitioned the Archbishop to establish a Maltese National Church, and named it “St. Paul of the Shipwreck”. In 1915, St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was founded at 1509 Oakdale Avenue in San Francisco by Fr. Andrew Azzopardi, the first Maltese priest. He retired in 1919.

In 1914 the Maltese community in and around San Francisco welcomed a Maltese priest to work there on a permanent basis. This was the Rev. Andrew Azzopardi who soon organised his people into an ethnic parish. In 1915 the archbishop of San Francisco bought a hall which had been built in 1874, and gave it to the Maltese to use as their own church. The hall was situated in the Bay View District. Eventually, the Maltese pastor also offered his services to other immigrants living in the area, especially to the Italians.

Another important development in the history of Maltese emigration to California was the establishment of a national parish in San Francisco. It had been said from almost the very beginning of modern emigration from Malta that the Maltese emigrant would never settle permanently unless he had with him his family and his faith. Whenever there was a priest who resided permanently with a group then that group had a good chance of survival. The Maltese in San Francisco knew this and in 1913 they had a priest with them, Father Andrew Azzopardi, a Franciscan friar, who soon established a church in the city which was to be the nerve-centre of the Maltese community for many years.

Fr Azzopardi called the Maltese church that of St Paul of the Shipwreck, recalling the famous episode in Maltese history when St Paul and his companion St Luke, were cast on the shores of Malta during a tremendous gale, with the result that the Maltese received Christianity from St Paul himself. In dedicating his church to St Paul, Fr Azzopardi not only appealed to the religious sentiments of his people but also touched their national pride and identity. In that church the Maltese observed their traditional festas, and more important still, they prayed and sang in their own tongue. The church helped to group the Maltese, give them a feeling of belonging, and preserve their heritage. between 1913 and 1915. Research: First Franciscan pastor of St. Paul of Shipwreck Church in 1914.
Fr Andrew Azzopardi OFM was first pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church between 1915 and 1919 at 1509 Oakdale Ave., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He and Andrew Azzopardi were possibly the same person.
Fr Andrew Azzopardi OFM a Franciscan priest.

     Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM was born on 1 January 1919 in North Hollywood, CA, USA.² He died on 12 October 2007 at Oakland, CA, USA, at age 88.² He was buried on 18 October 2007 at Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
     Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM a Franciscan priest between 1939 and 2007. He and Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. were listed in the 1950 US Census age 59, pastor, Roman Catholic Church; Fr. Benny, age 28, assistant; John, 55, domestic servant in Oakdale Ave, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM Installed as Pastor on 1 July 1953 at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.
Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM was third pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, for 30 years between 1 July 1953 and 1983.
Obituary: on 16 October 2007: Father Benvenute Bavero O.F.M. In Oakland, October 12, 2007. Vesper services will be held (today) Tuesday, Oct 16, at 4pm in Mercy Care Center, 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Visitation will follow at St. Elizabeth Friary until 9 pm. Mass will be celebrated Wed. at 10:00 am in St. Elizabeth Church, 1500 34th Ave., Oakland. Funeral Mass and Burial will take place Thursday, Oct. 18 in Old Santa Barbara Mission Church in Santa Barbara, CA. Cooper's Chapel 510-533-4114
Published in San Francisco Chronicle on Oct. 16, 2007.³
Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM Rev. Benvenute Bavero, O.F.M., popularly called "Father Benny" was born in North Hollywood on Jan. 1. His parents named him Michael and he had 9 borthers and sisters. His family church was the Church of St. Charles. He graduated brom Bakmann Grammar School. He entered St. Anthony's Seminary in SAnta Barbara, Sep, 1932 and graduated in June 1938. He received his B.A. degree at Mission San Louis Rey College in June 1941. From Jul 1941 to March 1945 he studied theology at Mission Santa Barbara. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1944 by Rev. Bishop Joseph T. McGucken, S.T.D. He celebrated his first Mass at St. Joseph's Church in Los Angeles, his parent's parish.
On March 27, 1945 he was assigned as Assistant Pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwrech and was appointed pastor in June 1953. During the years that followed he provided the parish with a xhool staffed by Franciscan Sisters, a new convent, a new Church, a rectory and an auditorium-gym. In 1955, the beloved Fr. Benny purchased the condemned buildings and surrounding property of Bret Harte Public School, also known as the Potato School, for $1. The school name reflected a building without wood floors, and a yard primarily comprised of a vegetable garden. The expense of renovating and repairing the property were astronomical, but parishioners gave their time to fund raising commitments and worked around the clock to make Fr. Benny’s vision of a church and school a reality. The Franciscan Sisters of Charity of Malta accepted Fr. Benny’s invitation to staff the school and arrived in August 1956. St. Paul of the Shipwreck School was opened in October 1956, groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Church held July 24, 1960, and the new hall and auditorium dedicated on March 2, 1962. Fr. Benny’s great legacy of ministering to young people through education and outreach has been lovingly brought forward and nourished by the valiant and often sacrificial efforts of succeeding pastors and the hard work and support of a dedicated and faithful laity. He took a sabbatical from his pastoral duties in 1983 and then retired. He was then assigned as a Confessor in St. John's Lateran Church in Rome, Italy. In 1988 he was assigned as Associate Pastor, St. Barbara's Parish (Old Mission Santa Barbara). He celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a Franciscan on March 10, 1990 at St. Paul of the Shipwrech Church.
Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM a Franciscan priest.

     (?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in The Catholic Telegraph on 27 May 1915: MALTESE CATHOLICS Establish a Congregation for Their Own People. San Francisco, Cal., May 22. —A chapel for the Maltese Catholics of this city is the latest addition to San Francisco’s cosmopolitan religious life. A hall has just been secured in South San Francisco and a Franciscan Father, Rev. F. Andrew Azzapardi, has taken charge of the Maltese congregation. There are about 700 Catholics in the local Maltese colony, all young men; a promising nucleus for the parish that will eventually grow up around their newly acquired chapel. The chapel has been named “St. Paul of the Shipwreck,” in commemoration of the rescue of the Apostle of the Gentiles from shipwreck on the shores of the Isle of Malta, as recounted in the Holy Bible.
Fr Andrew Azzopardi OFM was first pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church between 1915 and 1919 at 1509 Oakdale Ave., San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. (?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the SF Chronicle as well as Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M. on 14 April 1917; First mention in SF Chronicle in 1917: "A congregation composed entirely of Maltese worshipers in the chapel at 1509 Oakdale avenue, under the direction of Rev. Theophilus Cashia, a Maltese member of the Franciscan Order, who came here from the Isle of Malta.
: Father Theophilus Cachia O.F.M.: was second pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, for 34 years between 1919 and 1953.
(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church St. Paul of the Shipwreck opened as a Catholic Church on 25 August 1922.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the Catholic Monitor on 26 August 1922: ST. PAUL OF THE SHIPWRECK BAZAAR PROGRAM -- All of the residents of the Bay View district are busy making ebborate preparations for the bizarre for the benefit of St Paul of the Shipwreck, 1509 Oakdale avenue which opened oa a grand scale Friday night, August 25. Mrs Eleanor Giovannetti. the queen of the children, will open the door to Fairylaod. and Dr. Musante will make the opening address. Natale T. Giacomini, Jr., will sing and dance in costume. He will dance Irish jigs and Russian dances and the latest songs, accompanied by Charles Bowden on the violin and Miss J. Bowden on tha piano. Gehring's Dance Orchestra will play Friday evening...
Sunday afternoon the Third Order of St Francis, St. Anthony's branch, will attend in a body and the orphans from the Roman Catholic Orphanage will be the guests of the bazzar Sunday night with the Third Order of St. Francis, St. Boniface Branch.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle in February 1923: Whist game held at St. Boniface Hall to help benefit Fr. Cachia to help him complete the new Church, St. Paul of the Shipwreck.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the Catholic Telegraph on 11 November 1926: Priest Artist Decorates Church in San Francisco

(N. C. W. C. News Service) San Francisco, Nov. 1. —In the Church of St. Paul of the Shipwreck, this city, there has recently been completed a deccration of the sanctuary with a very beautiful triptych of St. Paul, as well as the decoration of a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony. Both of these works are from the brush of Father Luigi Sciocchetti, a Roman artist of distinction, who is making a short stay in California. Father Sciocchetti is also a “Professor”, being a graduate of the Italian Ministry of Fine Arts, working for a number of years under the guidance of Ludivico Seitz, Director of the Vatican Museums, and has been employed in the basilicas of Loreto and of St. Anthony of Padua.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle in 1928: First mention in SF Chronicle of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church as Maltese Church. Research: In 1952 Father Benevenute Calleja OFM, arrived to serve as assistant Pastor at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church. Two years later he returned to Malta, replaced successively by Father Augustine Portelli OFM in 1956 and Father Epiphanius Lewis OFM. in 1952. (?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church and Father Benvenute Calleja were a A priest, who served as assistant pastor at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church for 2 years in 1952.
(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church St. Paul of the Shipwreck hosted a winning boy's soccer club for a number of years. Coached by Fr. Calleja. between 1953 and 1954.
Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM was third pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, for 30 years between 1 July 1953 and 1983. Research: Photo of SPS Men's retreat at San Damiano's in 1955. Research: In 1955, the Franciscan Sisters of Charity of Malta accepted the pastor’s invitation to establish a foundation in America and staff the school.
So, on August 11, 1956 seven Sisters arrived here: Mother Olympia and Sisters Lidwina, Gervasia, Lucilla, Stefana, Imeldina and Danielina.
They resided at Mount Saint Joseph's until their new convent was ready on March 23, 1957. Dedication of the convent was held the following day, with the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Maher officiating.
Sisters pictured on opposite page are: top, row, left to right, M. Stefane, M. Dositea, M. Gervasia, M. Imeldina Bottom row, left to right, M. Lidwina, M. Lucilla, M. Armanda and M. Danielina.
They taught school to many of the parishioner's children and others for 24 (twenty-four) years. Having fulfilled their teaching assignments, those still in the sisterhood returned to Malta in June 1980. Mother Olympia returned to Malta and died there.
Sister Danielina's birth name was Miriam Gellal. She left the convent, along with three other nuns. Sr. Danielina (Miriam Gellal) is still alive but living in Malta.
One sister's birth name Melita Briffa, but do not know her religious name of this person. She was one of the other nuns who left the convent.
Two of those who left are no longer llving: Sister Gervasia (who came to be known as "Connie" after leaving) and Sister Lidwina. in 1955 at St. Paul of the Shipwreck School, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Nuns Maltese Mother Olympia and Sisters Lidwina, Gervasia, Lucilla, Stefana, Imeldina and Danielina. Research: Assistant Pastor between 1956 and 1969.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the Catholic Monitor on 3 October 1958: "Malta Is Like a Convent' -- A Reverend Mother with sunny smile and wide understanding in her brown eyes visits San Frandapo from the island of Malta the small island in the middle of the Mediterranean with a bursting population, 400,000 to be exact. .... The Reverend Mother Luba Busuttil, of the Fraaebean Sisters of Malta, reaches the end trf a half-way around the world tour at St Paul of the Shipwreck elementary achooi, the Order's only UJS. foundation. Starting in Italy where their 11 houses indude homes for the aged and dinks as well as schools, the Reverend Mother with her traveling companion Sister Geafil% Formosa stopped between , here and there in Brazil where plans were laid for the founding of a novitiats. Although not on .the itinerary for tbb trip, the Sisters have schools In Greece, Pakistan and Australia.
The Franciscan Sistars of Malta originated there, tbe visiting representatives state proudly. It b not surpris&g that such a small country should flower thus, for it be in many respects a "Catholic” country, all schools, public and private, teaching the religion of 90 per cent rtf tbe population. The customs of the people, their living habits centar around the .Church, which causes visitors from abroad to comment, "Malta is like a convent.” REV. MOTHER LUISA ...visits S.F.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the Monitor on 17 October 1958: Sisters’ Profession Tomorrow at St. Paul of Shipwreck
Four Franciscan Sisters of Malta will make their profession of perpetual vows at 8:30 am tomorrow at St Paul of the Shipwreck Church, 1509 Oakdale avenue, San Francisco. The Reverend Mother Luisa Busuttil, Mother General of the Franciscan Sisters of. Malta, will receive the profession of Sisters Annanda, Dositea, Imeldina and Stefana. Mass will be celebrated. The Sisters staff St Paul of the Shipwreck elementary school.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in theMonitor on 28 November 1958: Christmas Party Meeting on Agenda

A Christmas party-meeting on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the, school auditorium, is planned by St Paul of the Shipwreck Mothers’ guild.

Father Benvenute Bavero, pastor, and Mother Olympia, principal, will give a progress .report of the school children. Gifts will be exchanged.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the Monitor on 1 May 1959: St. Paul Shipwreck Parish Picnic Set

The parishioners of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church In San Francisco are preparing for their annual picnic op Sunday at the Sunnyview Family dub in Mountain View. The picnic committee under the chairmanship of Edward Avanrino promises a day of games and relaxation with activities for the children, and parking space. Donation Is 75 cents for adults, and children under 12 will be admitted free.

Maltese In the News was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 22 January 1960: His Excellency, the Most Reverend Archbishop, announces the following appointments: Rev. Urban Habig, O.F.M.—Assistant Pastor, St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, San Francisco.

Maltese In the News was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 22 July 1960: St. Paul Shipwreck Groundbreaking: Father Benvenute Bavero, 0.F.M., pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church, will preside at groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church and hail this Sunday, at 2 p.m., Third street and Jamestown, San Francisco. Research: Maltese National Church issue, by Tony Spiteri: What was called the Maltese National Church since 1913-14 changed hands from the Franciscan province of Malta to the Franciscan province of Santa Barbara, when Father Benvenute Bavero OFM a non-Maltese became its pastor; this change brought about great disappointment and dissention within the Maltese Community living in Bayview and in 1955 the club was asked for help from all the parishioners. At first, the Club declined to get involved in ecclesiastical matters, but later under the leadership of President Reno Gauci, who as a chairman headed a newly formed "Joint Committee· between the club, Holy Name Society and the Third Order of St. Francis, numerous crowded meetings took place at the club, ending with a huge rally at the annual picnic held at Blackberry Farm in Woodside. All the Maltese signed petitions requesting that St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church revert back as a Maltese Mission, but to no avail. Audiences with Father Provincial Temple in Santa Barbara and with Archbishop Mitty in San Francisco also proved fruitless.
Between 1959 and 1961 Reno Gauci and his joint committee exhausted every avenue, when the committee was dissolved with the loss of the Maltese National Church. Since then whenever the opportunity arose, the club continued in its quest for the installation of a Maltese pastor or at least an assistant pastor in the church, but all the complaints and requests amounted to nothing. However, the love for the church by the Maltese is embodied in them and still continued to be parishioners performing their religious duties there.
The first contingent of Maltese Franciscan, Sisters of Charity arrived and started teaching at the school adjacent to the new church. Many Maltese children attended the school and graduated Well loved and first Spiritual Director Father Theophilus Cachia OFM, second pastor of the church retired to Santa Barbara. He had served the community for many years. in 1960.

(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 20 October 1961: St. Paul of Shipwreck Dedication Bishop Guilfoyle To Officiate at Maltese Church -- Fitting its name, anew church in San Francisco’s outer 4 Bay View dietrict juts streetward like the prow of a ship.' St. Paul of the Shipwreck, national parish church for the Maltese and Italian famniee of that area, will ba dedicated thie Sunday at 10:43 a.m. by Bishop Merlin J. Guilfoyle. Of pink-toned concrete block, it rises from a slope at the comer of Third street and Jamestown, main route to Carrdlestick park. The upper level, with entrance on Jamestown. is the church proper, seating 650 persons. Deep excavation into the slope—courtesy Charles Harney—gave the church space for a full gymnasium-audito-rium beneath the nave, seating 900. It is the two-story, prow-shaped rear of the building that most passers-by see from Third street. Father Benvenute Bavero, 0.F.M.. pastor, watched workmen rushing to complete the interior of the church this week. He noted many of them were parishioners who had volunteered to do carpentry, cabinet work, tile-laying, and installation of the oak pews. A special crew took on the task of mounting the main altar, of black marble fronted with white angels on gold mosaic. The white marble top weighs 3500 pounds. The new SL Paul’s replaces a tiny church at 1509 Oakdale avenue, where the Franciscan Fathers in 1915 began tending the spiritual needs of the largest Maltese-Amerlcan community west of Detroit. Sixty per cent of the parish's 1000 families hail from Malta, the tiny Mediterranean island-state. The remainder are Italian-Americans. A new rectory, still to come, will complete a blocksquare parish plant begun in 1956 with the opening of St. Paul of the Shipwreck school (Franciscan Sisters of Malta) and convent. Large panels of light nak, with light pink separators, line the sanctuary of the new church. Altar railing is of white marble on red marble supports. Side altars occupy two of six alcoves flanking the neve, with the others to house shrines of carved wood, including a pair of 17th-century angels donated by Mrs. Kathleen Norris. Stained glass windows feature the 15 mysteries of the Rosary. St. Paul of the Shipwreck is honored in one of several paintings and ceramics from they studio of the late Father Luigi Sciocchetti. Baptismal font of the vestibule of distinctive dark green marble The church seats an additional 100 persons in the choir loft. Louvers shield the wooden pipes of a small organ. Architect for St. Paul's was Leslie Irwin, the contractor, William Horstmeyer Cos. Research: Rose Aquilina, 2019: St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church was also named as a Maltese National Church and was dedicated on March of 1962 with the Maltese Prime Minister in attendance in San Francisco, California. I am 99.9% sure the church was not turned over to the Franciscan Friars of the Santa Barbara province and actually it is and has always been under the auspices of the San Francisco Archdiocese and will continue as such especially as we are in debted to the Archdiocese with our annual appeals. When we celebrated our 100th anniversary not only did the Archbishop acknowledge the contributions of the Maltese people as its namesake of this church but we received a proclamation from His Excellency Pope Francis and it even acknowledges and names the Maltese community with regard to St. Paul of the Shipwreck. The only situation involved with the Santa Barbara province was that was where Fr. Benvenute Bavero, OFM retired to and was laid to rest in the cemetery in Mission Santa Barbara.

Mona:
I distinctly remember a big brouhaha over the transfer from the Franciscans in Malta to those in Santa Barbara. Father Theophilus was still the pastor at the time,so this had to have happened in the late 1950s. This is the reason that Fr. Benny was installed as pastor and that Malta has not sent over a Maltese priest to St. Paul of the Shipwreck in 50 years. I agree that the Archdiocese of San Francisco has a stake in the parish, in that the church is located within the confines of the Archiocese.

ST. PAUL THE SHIPWRECK CATHOLIC CHURCH, SAN FRANCISCO by Dan Brock

Earlier this month, I happen upon the name of a Catholic Church in San Francisco dedicated to St. Paul the Shipwreck. Mindful of St. Paul’s Shipwreck Church in Valletta, Malta, I couldn’t resist determining whether St. Paul’s in San Francisco had a Maltese connection. It turns out it did.

In 1913, some 300 Maltese immigrants, who arrived in California, settled in the Bayview Hunters Point area of San Francisco. With their “strong sense of family and faith,” they joined with the Italian community in petitioning Archbishop Patrick William Riordan to establish a Maltese National Church and name it St. Paul of the Shipwreck.

The parish was established in 1915 under the leadership of the Conventual Franciscans of California. The Franciscans continued to serve the parish until June 2015. Like the Maltese National Church in Detroit, St. Paul of the Shipwreck, at some point ceased to be a Maltese National Church. Today it serves a diverse congregation which is predominantly African American, Hispanic and Filipino and provide a Gospel/African America Liturgy, and Spanish Liturgy and other programs to serve its diverse congregation. in 1962. Research: Fr. Goode was pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck; from Franciscan Province of the Immaculate Conception in New York in 1983. Research: The Church-Club's Close Affiliation
by Anthony Spiteri

In 1913, a Maltese Franciscan priest by the name of Father Andrew Azzopardi, OFM arrived in the city of San Francisco with a vision of establishing a Maltese National Church. In a published periodical "Propaganda tal-Fidi' (Propagation of Faith) written by Fr. Azzopardi stated that the Archbishop of San Francisco, Edward Hanna was a 'Godsend' because with the Bishop's grant of $400 and $300 he collected from the Maltese living in the Bayview and adjacent Portola districts he was able to buy a saloon on the 1500 block of Oakdale Avenue in Bayview, and as he later bragged that with this $700 he was able, with the Maltese working during the week-ends, to convert the premises into a viable little church, where Maltese and also Italians were able to observe and fulfill their religious obligations. He was given jurisdiction by Archbishop Hanna over Maltese and Italians with parochial rights and named the church after the Patron Saint of Malta as "St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church'. It was ideally located within walking distance of most Maltese and Italians.

He also boasted that the premises served for Maltese get-togethers, as a sort of a "CLUB" - this in fact was the first mention of a Maltese Club, in the real sense.

The year 1913 also saw the birth of the new "Malta Protective Association" formed for the purpose of newly arriving Maltese immigrants to be met at the San Francisco Ferry Building, and to give them guidance, which was so sorely needed, in this new adopted land.
It is to be believed that this organization worked hand in hand with the church's first pastor, Fr. Azzopardi OFM.

In the year 1919 Fr, Azzopardi founder of the Maltese National Church in San Francisco returned to Malta and was succeeded by one of the kindest and saintly priests, Fr. Theophilus Cachia OFM, who served as the second pastor until 1953 when he retired to Santa Barbara. Assistant Pastor, Father Benvenute Bavero OFM, who served in the church since 1947, became pastor in June following Fr. Cachia's retirement.

The old house at the corner of Oakdale and Lane Streets was bought and converted into a rectory and a large hall in 1947; and in 1955, the public school by the name of "Bret Hart" was also bought and after remodeling in October of 1956, it was dedicated by the San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop as the school of ·Saint Paul of the Shipwreck Church·.

A Maltese priest, Fr. Benvenute Calleja OFM arrived from Malta in January 1952 and served as assistant pastor until his return to Malta during the summer of 1955; he was followed by the arrival of a few more priests from Malta to serve as assistants.

The church was never returned to its previous status of "Maltese National Church" with a Maltese pastor.

In August of 1956, seven Maltese Franciscan Sisters of Charity headed by Superior Sister Olympia arrived at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church; they taught school to many of the parishioner's children and others for 24 (twenty-four) years. Having fulfilled their teaching assignments, they all returned to Malta in June 1980.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church at Jamestown and Third Streets (Bayview District) San Francisco took place in July 1960. The official grand opening of the finished church took place in March 1962, under Fr. Benvenute Bavero OFM pastor who by now was "Pastor Emeritus" of the church.

Installation of Fr. James Goode as new pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church took place in 1983 with a High Mass by Archbishop Quinn of San Francisco Diocese; The club was invited and represented by the President, Charles E. Xuereb, M.D and officers Anthony Spiteri and Anthony Agius.

IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT VITAL STATISTICS, OF MOST OF THE MALTESE RELATING TO BIRTH, DEATH AND THE SACRAMENTS OF COMMUNION, CONFIRMATION AND MARRIAGE RECORDS SHOULD BE IN THE ARCHIVES OF THIS CHURCH. in 2004.
(?) St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church ST. PAUL OF THE SHIPWRECK CHURCH, SAN FRANCISCO by Charles J. Vella, PhD

In 1914 the Maltese community in and around San Francisco welcomed a Maltese Franciscan priest, Father Andrew Azzopardi, OFM, to work here on a permanent basis. Fr. Andrew was born in Zebbug, Malta on February 9, 1870. After his ordination in 1895 he distinguished himself among the Maltese migrants in Egypt from that year until 1909. Sometime thereafter he was sent to the United States and to California.
Soon after his appointment to serve the Maltese community in San Francisco, Fr. Andrew founded the ethnic parish of St. Paul of the Shipwreck. In 1915, Archbishop Edward Joseph Hanna bought a hall, built in 1874, and gave it to the Maltese to use as their own church. The hall was situated in the Bay View District. Eventually, its pastor, Fr. Andrew also offered his services to other immigrants living in the area, especially to the Italians.
When Fr. Azzopardi retired in November 15, 1919 and returned to Malta, Fr. Theophilus Cachia, OFM, another priest from the Maltese province of the Franciscans, who had been an assistant pastor at I maculation Conception Church, became pastor at St. Paul’s.
Fr. Theophilus was born on July 3, 1891 in Sliema, Malta, and was ordained on May 29, 1915. He emigrated from Malta, by way of Naples, Italy on November 24, 1916 and arrived at New York on the ship the Canopic on December 10^th. By 1916 he was living in San Francisco. He registered for the WWI draft on June 5, 1917 at 3215 Army St., San Francisco, and listed himself as age 25, and a Franciscan Father, employed at the Italian Church at 3255 Folsom Street.
Fr. Theophilus was to serve as pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church for 34 years, from 1919 to 1953. During this time, he enlarged and remodeled the original frame church building, installing concrete foundations, a stucco front, and a concrete stairway and bulwark. The hall was consecrated in a dedication mass on February 12, 1922 by Archbishop Hanna and was given the official title of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Maltese Church. The parish was situated at 1509 Oakdale Avenue.

In the Fall of 1947, the parish purchased the corner house at 1515 Oakdale and Lane Streets, to serve as a new rectory. Plans were to make the previous residence into parlors and offices, while the garage of the new rectory would be converted into a social and catechism hall. The yard space was converted into vegetable gardens, and in the front garden a terra-cotta shrine, made by Father Luigi Sciocchetti, was erected in honor of Our Lady of Fatima.

At the same time, the church was enlarged by knocking down the partition separating the church and the small hall adjacent to it. The seating capacity was thereby boosted from 300 to 450. The total redevelopment plan was completed by December 1948.
On December 23, 1949, Father Novellon Smith, O.F.M., of the Dutch Province, was appointed temporary assistant pastor of this church. He had been residing here in order to pursue studies in the history of Chinese philosophy, prior to his departure for missionary work in China. He left in March 1952.
Fr. Theophilus transferred administration of the parish from the San Francisco Archdiocese to the Santa Barbara Franciscan Province. Many in the Maltese community disagreed with this decision. He died on September 24, 1959 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, CA.
In June 1953, Fr. Theophilus was succeeded as pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck by Father Benvenute Bavero, OFM.
Father Benvenute was born in North Hollywood on January 1, 1919. His parents named him Michael and he had nine siblings. His family church was the Church of St. Charles. He graduated from Bakmann Grammar School and in September 1932 entered St. Anthony's Seminary in Santa Barbara and graduated in June 1938. He received his B.A. degree at Mission San Louis Rey College in June 1941. From July 1941 until March 1945 he studied theology at Mission Santa Barbara. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1944 by Bishop Joseph T. McGucken, and celebrated his first Mass in his parents’ parish, at St. Joseph's Church in Los Angeles.
On March 8, 1945, Fr. Benvenute was assigned as assistant pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck and soon became more popularly known as “Father Benny.” In May 1950, he was requested by the Very Reverend Father Provincial to go to Assisi, to guide pilgrims and hear confessions during the Holy Year. He returned at the end of November the same year. Father Benvenute Calleja O.F.M., of the Franciscan Province of Malta, arrived here on January 14, 1952. He served as assistant pastor until summer, 1955. In 1956, Father Augustine Portelli, O.F.M., of the Franciscan Province of Malta, became the new assistant pastor for the next 2 years. Fr. Benny was appointed pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck in June 22,1953.
During the years that followed he provided the parish with a school staffed by Maltese Franciscan Sisters and a new convent, church, rectory and auditorium-gym. In 1955, the beloved Fr. Benny purchased the condemned buildings and surrounding property of Bret Harte Public School, also known as the Potato School, for $1. The school name reflected a building without wood floors, and a yard primarily comprised of a vegetable garden. The expense of renovating and repairing the property was astronomical, but parishioners gave their time to fund raising commitments and worked around the clock to make Fr. Benny’s vision of a church and school a reality
In 1955, the Franciscan Sisters of Charity of Malta accepted the pastor’s invitation to establish a foundation in America and staff the school. So, on August 11, 1956 seven Sisters arrived here: Mother Olympia and Sisters Lidwina, Gervasia, Lucilla, Stefana, Imeldina and Danielina. They resided at Mount Saint Joseph's until their new convent was ready on March 23, 1957. Dedication of the convent was held the following day, with the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Maher officiating. On October 14, 1956, the new school was dedicated by His Excellency, Most Rev. Merlin Guilfoyle, Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco. St. Paul of the Shipwreck School was opened in October 1956. On October 5, 1957, the teaching staff was completed when Sisters Dosita and Armanda arrived from Malta. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new church were held on July 24, 1960, and the new hall and auditorium were dedicated on March 2, 1962.
Fr. Benny’s great legacy of ministering to young people through education and outreach has been lovingly brought forward and nourished by the valiant and often sacrificial efforts of succeeding pastors and the hard work and support of a dedicated and faithful laity.
Other Franciscan assistant pastors included: Father Mathias Curtin O.F.M. (1956-1959), Father Epiphanius Lewis, O.F.M., (1958), Father Lorenzo di Vîrgilio, O.F.M., (1959-1961), Father Urban Ha'big, O.F.M., (1959; he was the religious superior of this Franciscan group), and Father Bertram Van Slyke, O.F.M., (1960), and Father Vîtorin dl Alessandro, O.F.M., (1961).
Fr. Urban, who celebrated his 50^th Jubilee as a priest in 1961, was elderly and very hard of hearing. On one occasion I was next in line for the confessional and a very attractive young lady had entered it to do her confession with Fr. Urban. Suddenly I and half the church heard Fr. Urban say very loudly “You did what?”. I went and sat down, deciding to wait for another less deaf confessor!
Fr. Benny took a sabbatical from his pastoral duties in 1983 and then retired. He was then assigned as a Confessor in St. John's Lateran Church in Rome, Italy. In 1988, Fr. Benny was assigned as Associate Pastor, St. Barbara's Parish (Old Mission Santa Barbara). He celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a Franciscan on March 10, 1990 at St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church. Fr. Benvenute died on October 12, 2007 and is buried at the Old Mission in Santa Barbara.
Both Fr. Theophilus and Fr. Benny dedicated their lives to the spiritual care of the Maltese community of the Bay View of San Francisco. I hope that this little historical portrait gives a small tribute of these two true Franciscans.






























































First Communion Class of 1953 in Front of the Hall. The Old Church Is Partially Seen to Our Left






Altar Boys of St. Paul of the Shipwreck, 1962























in June 2020. Research. Research. Research. Research: She was Admin Officer and parish secretary; Fr. Benny's "go to" person - they were very close. Research.

     Joseph Dominic Dimech was born in 1913 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Mary C. (?) Joseph Dominic Dimech died in 1986.¹
     He emigrated from Malta in 1938 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He was listed on a passenger list at Ellis Island, NY on 23 May 1940 going to San Pedro, CA, USA; age 27, seaman; medical hold instituted for syphylis on April 23, 1940; then cleared. He served in the military He served in US Army & merchant marines during WW II. He was licensed to serve as Master in Merchant Marines on 11-22-1971.¹ He and Mary C. (?) were listed in the 1950 US Census age 37, no occupation in Galveston, TX, USA.

     Paul C. Dimech was born on 12 May 1919 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Connie Calleja. Paul C. Dimech died on 15 February 1970 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA, at age 50; Also 25 Jul 1989.¹
     He emigrated from Malta in 1939 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ He served in the military on 9 November 1942 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA, in US Army in WWII; he took part during the invasion of Normandy; Enlistment Date:      9 Nov 1942; Discharge Date:      17 Oct 1945. He was a PGE. Research: Soc Security gives Giuseppa Muscat as mother and Carmelo Dimech as father.