Fr. Alfred Boeddeker
August 7, 1903 – January 1, 1994

Alfred Boeddeker was born in San Francisco and baptized at St. Boniface Church, the German immigrant church located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. Ordained a priest in 1927, Fr. Alfred studied linguistics at the International University of San Antonio at Rome, specializing in Italian, Spanish, and German, and then at the University of California at Berkeley, studying Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Asian political science.

In 1949, he became pastor of St. Boniface Church in San Francisco. He witnessed a growing number of people coming to the parish for food. With the help of many friends in the business and faith communities, he opened St. Anthony Dining Room in 1950 in the former auto repair shop next door. Later dubbed “The Miracle on Jones Street,” St. Anthony Dining Room has been a welcoming place for people to share a meal in a family atmosphere of respect.

Affectionately referred to as the “Patron Saint of the Tenderloin,” Fr. Alfred later oversaw the expansion of St. Anthony’s programs to include housing, health care, and clothing and housewares, among others.

Fr. Alfred also co-founded the Missionary Sisters of the Queen of Peace, a women’s religious order serving poor and homeless people in Tijuana, Mexico.

Fr. Alfred retired as Executive Director of St. Anthony Foundation in 1980, but remained active with many projects, including efforts to eliminate world hunger. He received numerous honors, including an honorary doctorate of public service degree from the University of San Francisco, the St. Francis Award from the City and County of San Francisco, and having the Tenderloin’s Boeddeker Park named in his honor.

Fr. Alfred’s great generosity of spirit continues to inspire the work of St. Anthony Foundation. As he once said, “The great activity of our life is to love. I see God as one act, just loving, like the sun always shining.”