First Presbyterian Church, San Luis Obispo

First Presbyterian Church holds a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1875. The church was established by McDowell Reid Venable, a Civil War veteran and San Luis Obispo county judge, along with eleven charter members. It became the third Protestant church in the area.

Initially, the church operated from a small wooden building located at the corner of Marsh and Morro Streets. In 1884, this modest structure was replaced by a larger Victorian Stick-Eastlake church, capable of accommodating around 200 people. However, in 1904, the church building was moved to the adjacent lot, where it continued to serve the congregation and the community for the next two decades.

In 1904, the cornerstone for the present-day church building was laid. Constructed in 1905, the church stands as a testament to the English Arts and Crafts style and is made of granite quarried from the nearby Bishop Peak. The church's architecture showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of the era.

Over the years, additional structures have been added to the church grounds. In February 1929, the Educational Unit was constructed and dedicated to further support the church's educational programs. The A. G. Wilson Fellowship Hall, built in 1987, serves as a central hub for church fellowship activities and community events.

In 2001, the stone sanctuary underwent earthquake retrofitting to ensure its structural integrity. Furthermore, in the spring of 2008, the City of San Luis Obispo approved the construction of a Housing Project to complement the ministry of Front Porch. This expansion includes approximately 40 rooms, a ministry hall, a cafe, a kitchen, and a residence for the director and their family, aiming to enhance the church's ability to serve the community.