The line went up the block and around the corner. Krystell, Martine, Thierry, and I had spent an awfully long time looking for parking in this just to the left of downtown San Francisco area. We finally decided on a parking garage, just for the convenience, and, as it was, we weren’t even sure that we would get into the crowded Sunday morning ‘celebration’.
The line began to move down the block and everyone politely shuffled forward to the doors of the church. It was like waiting in line for a concert, everyone full of energy in anticipation. We entered and climbed the stairs leading to the balcony, which already seemed to be full. People were beginning to line the aisles and stand behind the pews. The house was crowded! This was our first foray into the phenomena that is Glide.
For as much as I visit the cathedrals of Europe for their architecture and history, my friends from France and I are visiting Glide for its music and its message. Glide is a church that is well known not only in San Francisco, but is also famous (or is that infamous?) throughout the country, for its embracement of all cultures and its diverse congregation. When Krystell had asked me to take her to see gospel music in a church, I could think of no other place to go.
It wasn’t long until everyone got settled in their seats or claimed their spots. The choir came onstage. In this particular house of worship, music is the message and the message ROCKS! It wasn’t long before the choir broke out, folks were standing and hands were clapping. Before too long the fans were being passed around and everyone was stirring the air. Cecil Williams would break in inbetween songs, throwing out a line, a thought, a challenge to the congregation, then the music would continue, and the hands would clap and the fans would stir the air again. Someone opened the windows.
This cycle continued for an hour and a half, then twenty minutes of a rousing sermon by Rev. Fitch. I took a moment to look around the body of the church. Every culture living in San Francisco was represented in the group. Everyone was happy, smiling, radiant. The music uplifting. The message sweet. It made me wonder why, if we could live like this in the moment, why couldn’t we live like this in the constant?
Krystell, Martine and Thierry were enthralled. They didn’t understand the words, but they got the message.
Location: 330 Ellis St. @ Taylor St.
Sunday Celebrations: 9:00AM – 10:30AM and 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Lines begin forming at the entrance about forty minutes before each Celebration so arrive early to make sure you get a seat!
Getting to Glide on Public TransportationBART or MUNI train: exit at the Powell Street Station which is located at Market and Powell Streets. Walk ‘up’ one block on Powell Street (it’s the only way you can go on Powell), turn left on Ellis St. Walk three block to Glide, on the right.
MUNI Bus: The #27 MUNI bus stops in front of Glide on Ellis Street.
Getting to Glide by Car
From the South Bay: Take Highway 101 north and exit at 7th St. Go straight on Bryant St., turn left on 6th Street. At Market Street, 6th St. becomes Taylor St. Follow Taylor three blocks further and Glide will be on your left.
From the Marin County: Cross over the Golden Gate Bridge, following Lombard Street to Van Ness Ave. At Van Ness Ave., turn right, then left on O’Farrell St., right onto Mason St., then right onto Ellis St. Glide is one block up.
From the East Bay: Take the Bay Bridge, exiting on 5th St. Go up 5th St. to Market. At Market Street, 5th St. becomes Cyril Magnin St. One block above Market St. turn left on Ellis and Glide is two blocks up.
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