Participants roller skate at the Church of 8 Wheels with a view of the altar as the disco ball shimmers lights around the historic architecture. / Photo By Francis Tatem.
Friday Night Lights: Gaels Twirl and Whirl at the Church of 8 Wheels Roller Rink in San Francisco
With funding provided by the student enhancement fee, the BSU co-sponsored the Adventure Trip to the Fillmore District to experience a nostalgic retro culture at the Church of 8 Wheels.
Founded in 2013, the Church of 8 Wheels has become an electrical hotspot to bring generations of experienced and beginner roller skating enthusiasts together. For this former worship space filled with stained glass windows and lofty arches, the eccentric roller skating experience brings life back to this historic building. This historic site was a place of worship from its completion of construction in 1896 to its closing in 2004.
Gaels ventured to the Fillmore District on Friday, Feb 21 to wander through the city and skate around at the Church of 8 Wheels twirling and whirling to disco funk and pop while under disco balls and neon lights. Upon arriving, students received a black-owned business and restaurant guide to explore before they laced up. Skaters were decked out for the occasion, sporting individual custom trucker hats, including a retro BSU logo. Sarah Bagdon ‘25 who attended the event shared that she really enjoyed this event. “It allowed me to talk to new people as well as others I knew in passing!”
“I really enjoyed this event because it allowed me to talk to new people as well as others I knew in passing!”
—Sarah Bagdon ’25
"Skating at the Church of 8 Wheels was a fun and upbeat experience. The atmosphere was lively and it was a great night to spend with friends."
-Advait Powdwal '25
This adventure trip, funded by the student enhancement fee, provided our students with a unique yet quirky opportunity to visit one of San Francisco's beloved past times.
