Founded in 1892, All Saints Episcopal Church has been serving the surrounding community for over 100 years. Two worship services are held Sundays, along with church school, with child care available during services. Aside from services, it offers event and workshop spaces for rent, 12-step groups and dance classes. The church accommodate the community with a fireplace hall, parish hall and worship space with amazing acoustics.
This large, centrally located church offers a variety of services to its Christian community, including worship, prayer, youth programs, Bible camp, and numerous outreach programs, including feeding the homeless and holiday gift giving. Its community activities also include a knitting group, and a bike recycling program.
The Unitarian Universalist Church is a spiritual center for theists, atheists and agnostics alike to come together in a community centered around spirituality, social justice and a welcome environment for all ages. The church provides numerous activities and services for the community, including volunteer work days, musical programs, worship (led by Reverend Amy Zucker Morgenstern), social gatherings and opportunities to engage in political and environmental action.
Palo Alto Christian Reformed Church has its roots in 16th-centurty Calvinist theology, practicing a worship style known as "convergence worship," which attempts to blend traditional and contemporary styles into one fabric that follows the Reformed doctrine.
The church is actively involved in local community ministries, denominational missions, and the Christian World Relief Committee, and aims to increase sensitivity to politcal and social injustice around the world.
The University Lutheran Church is the primary facility for the Stanford Episcopal and Lutheran community. The Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCM), comprised of Stanford undergraduate and graduate students, commonly uses this church for worship as well as non-faith based activities. More commonly known as "UniChu," the church is the hub of a community committed to social justice and hospitality to strangers. A ministry of Episcopal and Lutheran churches, the community welcomes people of all (or no) faiths.
The organization also meets in the CIRCLE Common Room at Stanford University. The gathering includes dinner, conversation and prayer. Other activities include Bible study, current event discussion, games and movies.
The church also houses the Amigos de Palo Alto program, a Spanish Immersion preschool housed at, but not affiliated with, the University Church. It provides a comfortable environment where parents can leave their children for daycare services. Bilingual instructors teach children English in a natural setting.
The church also hosts The Friends Program, a therapeutic group that addresses the developing needs of young children with Asperger's Syndrome. The program aids children with social communication and helps them face the daily challenges of school.
Peninsula Bible Church is a non-denominational community that values expository preaching and developing leadership under Christ. A vibrant, family-oriented church, Peninsula Bible offers a wide assortment of programs to its members, including bible study, book clubs, crafts, music and arts ministries, and much more.
The 60-year-old church is led by a group of elders and finds strength in the social fabric of its members who aim to reflect the teachings of Jesus every day among each other and the world at large.
The First Congregational Church of Palo Alto officially was organized in the year 1900. The historical congregation meets for worship services in its bright, spacious church building at 10 a.m. Sundays. All are welcome to attend. The First Congregational Church of Palo Alto offers ministries for children, youth, young adults and men and women, offering Christian education, music groups, community outreach and more. The church regularly offers community events and activities.
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple holds Sunday services as well as many events held throughout the year. Their dharma teachings are rooted in Shin Buddhism, which means "to live in the midst of an ordinary life, meaningfully and gratefully, transformed and empowered by the heart of Buddha's boundless compassion and wisdom." Affiliated organizations include a choir, a Buddhist Women's Association, Taiko drumming and the Dharma School for children, which teaches the Jodo Shinshu teachings to students from preschool to high school.
Worship and music come first at First Lutheran Church of Palo Alto. Both adult and children's choirs provide music for worship chosen from a wide variety of eras, and the church boasts a 26-rank Casavant organ played by a skilled organist. Services are open to all ages and orientations, and the space is also available for community services such as 12-step programs, music lessons and election polling.
The Friends Meeting of Palo Alto, connected to the religious society of Quakers, is located in the middle of quiet Colorado Avenue. Friends Meeting conducts worship on Sunday at 10:30am and everyone is invited to attend.
A fixture in Palo Alto since 1893, First Baptist Church is a progressive Baptist Church. Led by Pastor Dr. Rick Mixon, the Church has a congregation of approximately 150 members. Their mission is to worship God, explore together faith and commitment to Christ, to serve those in need and to provide a home for heart, mind and soul. The Church has a full calendar of events and an active community outreach program. The beautiful sanctuary is open for prayer and meditation during office hours.
Amidst several churches on Middlefield Road, University A.M.E. Zion Church is the oldest African-American church in the area. Formerly located on Ramona Street, the church moved to the current Middlefield location to provide a more fitting facility for the congregation. The A.M.E. Zion Church's emphasis is on "the salvation of the whole person--mind, body and spirit." Ultimately, it strives to be "The Freedom Church."
