Our Beliefs | Vision Document

Old First Presbyterian Church is an inclusive community of faith united by trust in God and faith in Jesus Christ. We warmly welcome all who accept and respond to God's saving grace in Jesus Christ and who desire to participate in the life and ministry of this church.

Established in 1849, we are the Oldest Protestant Congregation in California. We are constantly renewed through a wide spectrum of activities, and of course, through new members and visitors!

Visitor's Lunches: A time when visitors can meet with members of Old First and the pastor and get to know each other better. This is a great way to see if Old First is right for you.

New Member Classes: This is a class that prepares you to become a member at Old First, it is also a great time to ask questions about faith, the church and God's call in your life. Contact our pastor if you are interested in joining a new member class.

Why I Give To Old First: This is a series of statements from members of Old First about why they give. Learn why other individuals call Old First their home congregation.

Learn A Bit More About Us...

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.

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 Welcome Ministry to provide a way to work with other churches to examine the problem of homelessness in our neighborhood.

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.