Church and 14th Street station
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | June 1980 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco , United States |
| Products | Muni Metro light rail services |
Church station, also known as Church Street station, is a Muni Metro light rail stop situated in San Francisco, California. It lies at the complex six-way junction where Market Street, Church Street, and 14th Street converge within the Duboce Triangle district.
Station layout
Positioned on the second subterranean level, the station comprises two side platforms beneath street level, with a mezzanine concourse located above them. Distinct from other subway stops along Market Street, both Church and Castro Street station feature only a single staircase on each side of Market Street. Access points are found at the northwest corner of Market and 14th Street and also at the southwest corner of Market and Church Street. Originally a standalone structure, the street elevator was later incorporated into the facade of an apartment complex constructed between 2017 and 2020 on Market’s northern side, just west of 14th Street.
The J Church line transitions into and out of the Market Street subway near this station, utilizing two surface-level platforms: one inbound at Church and Market, and one outbound at Church and 14th Streets. The intersection also serves the F Market & Wharves streetcar line. In addition, the N Judah route exits its tunnel prior to reaching Church station and stops a block away at Church and Duboce Avenue.
History
Constructed by BART as a component of the Market Street subway project, the station’s name "Church Street" received approval from the BART Board in December 1965. It commenced operations in June 1980. The station was featured in the 1982 motion picture 48 Hrs., starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy. A seismic strengthening retrofit was carried out in early 2009.
In August 2020, following updates to Muni Metro services, the J line was reconfigured to operate entirely on surface streets, terminating at the inbound platform located on Church Street to facilitate accessible transfers to subway trains. Mini-high platforms were installed at Church and Duboce as well as south of Market Street to extend J line service to Duboce Street by October 2020. However, this transfer arrangement—requiring passengers to cross two streets and utilize elevators—was met with criticism from disability rights groups.
Soon after these modifications, all Muni Metro rail operations were suspended in favor of bus service beginning August 25, 2020. The J Church rail service recommenced on December 19, 2020, with both mini-high platforms active and Duboce serving as the new terminus. Early in 2021, the platforms were adorned with Them (Ramp), a mural created by artist Simon Malvaez.
In 2022, ornamental railings were installed on both boarding islands along Market Street as part of the Upper Market Street Safety Project. These railings include a quotation from Harvey Milk’s 1977 "You've Got to Have Hope" speech alongside an illustration of historic streetcar #1051, which is dedicated to Milk’s legacy.