Church of Mother Gong - 1345 Grant Ave, San Francisco
Your first visit
to Mother Gong
Everything you need to know before you walk through our doors — and what to expect once you do.
Who we are
The Church of Mother Gong is a religious community in San Francisco that exists to create welcoming space for genuine spiritual practice — rooted in live music, creative arts, and community connection.
We take our name from Gong, the legendary new age psychedelic rock band, and their feminine counterpart Mother Gong, founded by Gilli Smyth — All iterations of Gong have a spirit of cosmic exploration, radical community, and sound as a spiritual vehicle. These teachings live on in everything we do here.
Practical info
When and where
Hours
Sunday – Tuesday
12pm – 7pm
Wednesday – Saturday
12pm – 9pm
What to expect
Your first visit, step by step
Walk in. No pre-registration. Just come during open hours and introduce yourself at the door.
Join our Congregation. Membership is free and open to those 21+. You'll fill out a brief declaration of faith on-site and we will make a copy of your ID— this is how we welcome you into the community and keep our records as a church. None of your information is digitized to protect your privacy and religious freedom.
Tell us where you are. Our Vision Pastors will walk you through what we offer and what's happening — then have a real conversation with you about what brings you here, where you are in your journey, and what you're looking for. This helps us point you toward the right experience, whether that's a solo session, a guided ceremony, a group retreat, or simply hanging out and getting a feel for the space. Nothing is rushed.
Go at your own pace. You are never rushed. Whether you were off in a solo ritual or participate in a group ceremony, our Vision Pastors will be here to provide guidance, safety, and context. What happens after is as important as the experience itself. Community time, conversation, and integration support are part of what we offer. The door stays open.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Many of our members found us after experiences at other churches in San Francisco. If you've already had your first encounter with the sacrament and you're asking "what comes next?" — you're in the right place.
What we offer goes beyond access. We hold space for guided ceremony, intentional solo journeys, group retreats, and the kind of ongoing community that supports real integration over time. The sacrament teaches differently when you're not worried about what's next — when you have a community to come back to, live music to move through it with, and people who've walked the same path.
If that's what you're looking for, come in and talk to us. Or reach out directly — we're happy to have a conversation before your first visit.