 Founded in May 20, 1849, in the first months of the Gold Rush, Old First is California's oldest Protestant congregation. In its early years, the church established California's first orphanage and the YMCA; later Old First leaders were instrumental in forming the San Francisco Theological Seminary and the University of California at Berkeley.
An early ministry with Chinese laborers led to the founding of a Chinese congregation, which survives today as the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown - one of several churches Old First helped found to serve the needs of the growing city. Learn More.
 In late August of 1991, Office Administrator Tom Kearney answered a buzz at the door of Old First Church. An energetic, bearded man in a blue jumpsuit said he wanted to talk to someone about doing some painting for the building "in exchange for some housing." Thus began the relationship between an historic church and a charismatic artist that produced a remarkable work of decorative art. Learn more.
Old First Presbyterian Church
1751 Sacramento St,
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-776-5552
Fax: 415-776-2809
Email: info@oldfirst.org
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 Jazz Vespers began in New York City in 1961 when the late Reverend John Garcia Gensel , started an evening service at St. Peters Lutheran Church. It was designed for those musicians of his growing night ministry who couldn’t make it to Sunday morning service after playing those late Saturday night gigs. He invited them to perform “ a worship service by and for jazz musicians…the public is invited” Learn More.
 
Old First Presbyterian Church has always been actively involved in its surrounding community. In the early 1980’s, working with local community members, Old First was instrumental in founding the Larkin Street Youth Center to help runaway teenagers in the neighborhood. In 1996, the church founded the Homelessness Task Force to provide a way to work with other churches to examine the problem of homelessness in our neighborhood. Learn More.
In the early 60’s, 12 one-day senior centers were started that were attached to a church. The model was that volunteers for the senior center would come from the church, serving seniors of the church and the community. The center was run similarly to a Montessori school with different activities in different parts of the room(s)for different interests. Attendance was around 100 seniors per week, and a lunch was served. Learn More.
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