The 1992 movie “Sister Act” managed to become a world box office, with a $31 million budget; it grossed over $230 million worldwide! It managed to make audiences laugh, get a sequel, a Broadway show, and an upcoming third movie nearly 30 years later! Thanks to its comedy and heartwarming storyline, and an unforgettable soundtrack. Academy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg’s role of singer-turned-nun Deloris Van Cartier remains iconic to this day.
In light of the recent popularity that the film got after Sister Act 3: Kicking The Habit was greenlit, many viewers rewatched it, and many viewers from recent generations got a laugh. And both of these might have wondered where the memorable scenes were shot and what the history is behind those locations. So, let’s go and check out the filming locations of Sister Act.
Sister Act Filming Locations
As the movie’s primary setting, San Francisco served as a stunning backdrop for many of “Sister Act’s” scenes. And while some of the stories do take us to Nevada, and we’ll get to that in a moment, we need to talk about San Francisco; despite it being right now in the middle of a homelessness and ornate public crisis, the city’s hilly streets and sightseeings are iconic, and we can see them during Deloris’s adventures in the movie. While not directly tied to any specific scene, San Francisco remains a must-visit destination for fans of Sister Act.
St. Paul’s Church, San Francisco, California
Since we’re in San Francisco, our first stop is St. Paul’s Church. This Catholic Church is in the Noe Valley at Church St., and it resounds as a piece of the architecture surrounding the neighborhood. During filming, it doubled as the convent where Deloris seeks sanctuary. Furthermore, the church, which dates back to 1911, has an impressive Romanesque Revival design and remains an essential part of the local community. If you saw the film, you can spot various areas from the film, such as the church’s exterior, staircases, and the choir room.
Reno Main Post Office, Nevada
Next, we travel to the biggest little city in the world, Reno, Nevada. Not quite Las Vegas, but it has the same vibes for sure! The Reno Main Post Office in Nevada served as the exterior location for the police station where Deloris is placed in witness protection. As a staple of Reno since 1934, this four-story granite building offers a glimpse into the city’s history and continues to function as a post office to this day.
Also Read: Is Whoopi Goldberg Married? Maritial Status & History
Hollywood United Methodist Church, Los Angeles, California
After going to Reno, we go back to sunny, liberal California, to LaLa Land. St. Paul’s Church was the main filming location for the convent in “Sister Act”. But it’s in this Methodist Church that the final musical scene took place on a different set altogether.
To achieve the grandiose backdrop for the nun’s choir’s stellar performance, the production moved to the Hollywood United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California. This church, located at 6817 Franklin Avenue, is worth visiting for its history, architecture, and connection to the film.
Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada
Virginia Street in Reno was another noteworthy filming location, as it provided the perfect setting for a few key outdoor sequences, such as Deloris’s moments on the run from her mobster ex-boyfriend. When I say that Reno has Las Vegas vibes, it’s because a simple walk down Virginia Street offers a taste of the bustling energy and neon lights that characterize the city of Reno, making it a unique destination in its own right. If you can’t afford Vegas, try Reno!
Nevada Club and Club Cal Neva, Reno, Nevada
Finally, no “Sister Act” location tour would be complete without stopping by the iconic casinos where Deloris’s worked as a singer. The film showcases both Nevada Club and Club Cal Neva in Reno, Nevada. The latter one deserves a special mention. Club Cal Neva, which appears in the movie as Reno’s Clarion Club, has a story to tell.
The Nevada Club, where Deloris performs her show-stopping routine, dates back to the early 1960s; across its history, it had its ups and downs, changed ownership and finally closed its doors in 2002, got merged into another company, had its assets transferred and all the business mumbo jumbo you can imagine. But with new management, the club’s image lives on, and Reno visitors can still reminisce, bypassing the space where it once stood.
