New to FPC?

Contrary to the myths, old downtown First Churches (and we are the oldest downtown First Church in San Diego) are not medieval mazes. However, they can be a mystery. This page gives you an idea of what to expect when you first enter First. If you want more details, contact the church office – (619) 232-7513 – and we’ll show you around our 99 rooms (click here for a map of our campus).

Sanctuary
Sunday morning worship is in the sanctuary. You can enter the sanctuary several ways. Just walk up any of the front steps on Date Street, or if you have problems with stairs, enter from the 4th Avenue side where there is a ramp and an usher ready to assist you.

When you enter for worship, someone will greet you at the door and offer you a church bulletin. This gives instructions for the order of worship and details about church activities. Morning services last about 60-70 minutes or a little longer when we serve communion. If you need to leave during a service, just slip out discreetly.

Take any vacant seat you want. The most comfortable pews are padded, and can be found scattered around the sanctuary. Some of us sit upstairs for a better view or the extra warmth, although at our early service most people sit downstairs. If you have trouble hearing, the sound is best when you sit on the main level in front of the balcony.

Songbooks and Bibles are in the pocket of the seat ahead of you. Words for the songs in the first service are printed in the bulletin. If you are not sure when to sit or stand, just follow everyone else, or just remain seated. You don’t need to join in the singing or admire all the music. Our first service features guitars, drums, and a small ensemble, whereas the second service is led by the organ and choir.

If you have children, they can sit with you. Early in the service our pastor tells a Bible story to children who come forward and sit in the front pews. The children then leave for their own worship activities. If you prefer to keep your children with you for the whole hour, that’s great too. Child care is always provided.

As a first-time visitor, we don’t expect you to finance our church. Feel free to pass the offering plate along without contributing. You are welcome to give if you wish. Many church members mail in their offering or donate via this website.

Please fill out the friendship sheet which is in each pew. If you want us to contact you, just indicate that and we will be happy to do so.

After the first service, coffee is served in the courtyard; after the second it is served in the Assembly Hall. Restrooms are downstairs in the basement at the back of the Sanctuary and across the breezeway. Our welcome center is also there.

Chapel
The Chapel is up the block on 4th Avenue almost at halfway to Elm Street. We use the chapel for weddings, memorial services and special holiday services, and each Saturday evening at 5 for Jazz Vespers. If the main sanctuary seems to be closed, look up the sidewalk – we’re probably meeting in the chapel.

On Sunday morning the chapel is the worship home of our partner – the International Christian Church of San Diego (ICCSD).

Directions
If you are coming to an event other than worship, you will probably want to enter through the 3rd Avenue entrance halfway up the block. The church office is there. If you don’t know where your meeting is located, just ask at the office window. Click here to view general directions and parking information.