The Cathedral of the Annunciation is a jewel of the Central Valley.

But it didn’t start out that way – at least in name.

The seat of the Catholic Diocese of Stockton came about just prior to the start of World War II. The original plan was for this church to serve as the “new” St. Mary’s church.

At the time the old downtown church, built in 1893, was in dire need of repair before the 1940s.

So it was Archbishop John J. Mitty of San Francisco who gave the green light to locate the new parish on the north side, on the corner of Rose and Van Burden streets. That’s where the population growth of Stockton was taking place.

Rather than repair the “old’ St. Mary’s church, he shared the general feeling back then that it might be best to eventually tear it down. Monsignor William E. McGough, in turn, would serve as the first pastor of the new church.

McGough worked with San Francisco architect Henry Minton and Stockton contractor Shepherd & Green on plans to construct this modified Gothic church.

“The funding for the building came largely through the personal efforts of Msgr. McGough, who was an astute businessman and personally handled the financing of the new church,” said Betty McComb of the San Joaquin Historian publication.

The building permit was issued on March 5, 1941 at a cost of $175,000. It took about a year for completion.

“The construction was not greatly affected by the coming of World War II. Critical materials were on hand…but the war did delay completion for several years,” wrote McComb.

The hope here was for the dedication to take place on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942. But after the events of December 1941 – the bombing of Pearl Harbor, leading to the U.S. entrance into WWII – the arrival of certain items as pews were delayed.

On top of that, the work crew became small as war jobs increased. The pace of construction slowed but did not stop.

The new cathedral was fully paid before construction was finished at a cost of $285,000. However, all interior furnishings, stained glass windows, marble, and art work were done on separate contracts paid beyond the structural cost, according to McComb.

The church was dedicated on Dec. 12, 1942.

The Cathedral of the Annunciation is constructed of reinforced concrete. Its facing is that of brick and ornamented with cast stone.

One of the signature features is a 92-foot belfry tower located in the northeast corner.

The limestone steps on Rose Street leads to the entrance, consisting of a vaulted ceiling and terrazzo floor.

“The architecture reminds you of a lot of the old European churches,” said Robert of Stockton. “If you’re lucky, you could hear the magnificent pipe organ.”

Another local, Brenda, was impressed by how the church has stood the test of time, describing Annunciation as “gorgeous” and “breathtaking.”

Tiffany of Sacramento calls it “one of the most beautiful and underrated places to wed in Stockton.”

The Cathedral of the Annunciation is located at 400 W. Rose St.

Daily mass times are Mondays through Fridays, 6:30 a.m.; Saturday, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m., 9 & 11, and Spanish mass at 1 p.m.