Where Did ‘Sister Act’ Come To Life? A Filming Location Tour Through California

“Sister Act” is a 1992 musical comedy that featured breakout star Whoopi Goldberg as the lead character Deloris Van Cartier. The film kicks off with Deloris witnessing a murder in Reno, Nevada. Consequently, she’s forced to relocate to a convent and assume the alias of Sister Mary Clarence. Though she struggles at first to adjust to her new life as a nun, Mary eventually breaks the tired mold and revitalizes the convent’s choir, taking it from lackluster and dull to full of life and heart. She attracts attention from the community and the church hierarchy, which ultimately threatens her safety. The story concludes with the nuns performing a heartfelt rendition of “I Will Follow Him.”

Though Movie Locations notes that this box office success was primarily filmed in San Francisco and Los Angeles, you might not recognize the polished streets of Noe Valley at first glance. Producers went to great lengths to alter the area into the gritty neighborhood we see on screen. Fake pawn shops and adult video stores were built on set, just as graffiti and debris were added to create the raw and abrasive area of town that Sister Mary finds herself in. The feel-good movie is uplifting, comedic and full of songs that you’re sure to have in your head for days to come. If you’re interested in seeing the film locations that still stand today, consider booking your next trip to California soon. Film lovers and photographers will delight in seeing the ways Hollywood shape-shifted the area to create a seedy community out of a beautiful middle-class neighborhood. Don’t forget to stop by the can’t-miss highlights of San Francisco, including some of the best restaurants in the area.

What Church Was Used to Film ‘Sister Act’?

St. Paul’s Catholic Church in San Francisco became the outside of St. Katherine’s Convent for several scenes in “Sister Act,” according to the SF Chronicle. Located in the city’s Noe Valley at the corner of Valley and Church Streets, the active Roman Catholic parish includes an elementary and middle school and still holds Mass every weekday at 8:30 AM and on Sundays at 8 AM and 9:15 AM.

Per Seeing-Stars, the scenes showing the interior of the church, including those with the nuns eating and walking through the halls and even rehearsing with the choir, were all shot on location at Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles. This church is particularly famous in Hollywood for lending its hallways, classrooms and offices to the big screen. When it was turned into “St. Katherine’s Convent,” the set was dressed down and repainted to make it look more old and worn-down than it really is today.

St. Paul’s Catholic Church Was Used For Exterior Shots 

Key Scenes: When Deloris arrives at the convent that she must stay in for her own protection, it’s St. Paul’s Catholic Church that she sees (called St. Katherine’s in the movie), according to Movie Locations. At one point, Deloris and the nuns are seen scrubbing graffiti and restoring buildings just outside of the convent. The doors of the convent are seen when Deloris obtains an old car ffor the nuns to fix, as well as during multiple scenes showing Mass and Sunday services. The film’s final concert scene was also shot on the stairs of the church. 

Best Time to Visit: If you’re interested in attending Mass, those services are held Monday to Friday at 8:30 AM in the chapel. A Saturday Vigil is held at 4:30 PM, or you can attend the traditional Mass on Sunday at 8 AM or 9:15 AM according to the church’s website. If you’d like to visit when there’s likely to be smaller crowds, consider going in the afternoon between 3-5 PM, though some parts of the church may not be accessible at these times. 

Transportation Options: Though it’s possible to access most of Noe Valley with a car, the limited parking options might encourage you to look into public transportation options. The SFMTA Shuttle service includes designated shuttle stops at 24th & Church Street, allowing you to navigate through the San Francisco neighborhoods on foot or by bike. Additionally, the J Church Light Rail is a popular option for tourists and locals alike.

When Delores arrives at the convent for the first time, we see her looking dwarfed and intimidated by the church’s exterior. It’s here that she’ll have to assume her alias as Sister Mary, and it’s here that she’ll struggle to find her place in the quiet community and church choir. 

Still standing tall in San Francisco, this parish was built over a 14-year period, beginning in 1897 and concluding in 1911. The modified English Gothic style includes thick gray stones and rubble and two asymmetrical steeples standing at nearly 200 feet tall. The vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows make for a perfect backdrop for Deloris’ evolution. Once you’ve seen the impressive church in person, it’s easy to point out the many times it’s seen on screen, even in passing, in this classic musical. 

Things to Do: Meander between boutique shops, cafes and restaurants on 24th Street. The nearby Noe Valley Town Square also has numerous people-watching opportunities, as does the Noe Valley Farmer’s Market, which is held at the Town Square on Saturdays from 8 AM to 1 PM.

Where to Eat: Bacco, an Italian restaurant loved by locals in San Francisco, offers a covered and heated patio to dine on if you enjoy handmade pasta paired with local wine options. The Noe Valley Bakery has been an excellent option for dessert for over 20 years. 

Where to Stay: Due to the residential vibe of the area, Airbnb’s are your best bet for long-term stays. Noe’s Nest Bed and Breakfast is a highly-rated B&B situated nearby, and The Hotel Castro is another unique option, featuring playful art and comfortable amenities throughout. 

Hollywood United Methodist Church Became The Interior Of St. Katherine’s Convent

Key Scenes: When viewers see the nuns interacting, whether it’s via conversations or while dining together, that’s when Hollywood United Methodist Church (HUMC) is featured. Additionally, the choir room where rehearsals take place and entrances to the chapel were also filmed here. 

Best Time to Visit: Anyone can attend worship services on Sundays at 11 AM. Though if you’re just looking to explore and take photos, stop by on weekdays for quieter visits and smaller crowds. 

Transportation Options: If you take public transportation, get off on the Hollywood/Highland Metro Red Line station and walk just five minutes to the church. The church also has on-site parking for cars, but it’s crucial to take traffic into consideration if you plan to attend a service. 

Located off of Franklin Avenue in Los Angeles, California, this neo-Gothic church was the location for many of the “Sister Act” scenes shot inside the convent. Anytime we see the nuns gossiping, walking through the halls or enjoying a meal at the long communal table, that’s all taking place within HUMC.

“Sister Act” isn’t the only film to utilize HUMC for its Hollywood visions. According to Seeing-Stars, scenes from “Back to the Future,” “That Thing You Do” and “Beautiful” were also filmed here. Additionally, Radio City Music Hall dancers, the Rockettes, have used the church for rehearsing their annual Christmas show before performing at the Universal Amphitheatre. 

Things to Do: Walk where the most famous stars have been by touring the nearby Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Museum and Hollywood Wax Museum are also entertaining options for a fun afternoon. 

Where to Eat: The Hollywood Rooftop Restaurant & Bar by Madame Tussauds boasts yummy food and cocktails served with “guaranteed celebrity sightings.” 25 Degrees is a notable hamburger restaurant located inside the Roosevelt Hotel. If you’re headed to downtown LA, stop by Maccheroni Republic for handmade pasta and a BYO wine policy. 

Where to Stay: There are numerous hotel options in both directions from the church, just off of Franklin Avenue or Highland Avenue. The Prospect Hollywood is rated as the #1 hotel in Los Angeles on TripAdvisor, and it’s within walking distance to HUMC. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Whoopi Goldberg make for “Sister Act”?

“Sister Act” grossed more than $230 million. There’s not an exact number for how much Whoopi Goldberg made for her role in the project, though Parade reports that her salary for “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” was somewhere between $7 million and $12 million, making her one of the highest-paid actresses at that time. 

Did any of the nuns in “Sister Act” really sing?

Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) performed her own vocals, as did Sister Mary Patrick and many of the other nuns, according to H.O.M.E. Sister Mary Robert, on the other hand, lip-synced to the vocals provided by singer Andrea Robinson, according to Grazia.

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