First Presbyterian Church


About Us
If you are yearning for an experience of the Holy . . .
If you understand that faith is a matter of the mind as well as the heart, and that taking the Bible seriously means that it cannot always be taken literally . . .
If you believe that an openness to searching questions is more important than the offering of set and staid answers . . .
If you believe that God’s love embraces all persons equally, no matter their gender, race, economic condition, or sexual identity . . .
If you believe that diversity, tolerance, peace-making and inclusivity are strengths to be taught and cherished . . .
If you believe that the path of Jesus calls us to be nothing less than global citizens, that the social expression of love is justice, and that spiritual concerns are inseparable from commitment to the natural world . . .
If you are yearning for a community that recognizes the faithfulness of people who have different names for the way to God’s realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, just as our ways are true for us . . .
If you’ve wished for a more open and embracing community of faith to nurture your spirit and raise your children, and haven’t yet found a place of belonging . . .
Then we warmly invite you to become part of the worship, witness, and work of this progressive faith community known as First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto.
Peace and grace,
Rev. Rob Martin
- Vibe
- Casual, Creative, Down to Earth, Friendly, Progressive, Gay affirming, Inclusive, Multigenerational
- Programs
- Social Justice, Addiction/Recovery, Young Adults, Youth Group, Choir, Nursery, Adult Education, Food Pantry, Preschool, Disability, Children's Ministry
- Music
- Traditional Hymns, Contemporary, Organ, Jazz
- Denomination
- Presbyterian (PCUSA)
- Networks
- Size
- Medium
- Language
- English
- Founded
- 1893
Contact Information
Our Services
Service Times
- Sunday
-
- 08:30am
- Early Church
- 08:30am
- Joyful Noise
- 09:30am
- Adult Education
- 10:30am
- Community Worship
- Tuesday
-
- 05:15pm
- Contemplative Prayer
- Friday
-
- 07:30am
- Service of Grace
Leadership
Robert Martin
Rob Martin has served as Senior Pastor / Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto for the past 10 years. Prior to coming to First Pres, Rob served as both the Chaplain for Warren Wilson College and as Senior Pastor of the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church located in Asheville, North Carolina. He has also served as a pastor in inner-city New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was the founder of the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network and in Denver, Colorado, where he staffed Capitol Hill United Ministries—a coalition of 13 cross-denominational churches united in mission. Rob did his undergraduate studies at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, North Carolina, where he completed a double major in Creative Writing and Marxian Political Analysis. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary where he served as an Urban Ministry Scholar and was the recipient of the Martin Kneeling Excellence in Preaching Award given by the SFTS Faculty.Location & Directions
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