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Palo Alto's Protestant churches range from congregations founded in the 1890s to newer multi-site churches that meet across the Bay Area. Most hold one or two Sunday services between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Nearly all now stream at least one service. This page groups them by denomination so you can find a familiar tradition quickly.
Every church listed here had a current website showing fall 2026 activity when we checked. Service times are as each church published them. They change for holidays, summer and special events, so confirm on the church's own site before you go. We do not rank or compare churches. For history, see our page on historic houses of worship. For other traditions, start with our places of worship guide.
Episcopal
Episcopal churches belong to the worldwide Anglican Communion and center Sunday worship on the Eucharist. The two Palo Alto parishes listed here belong to the Episcopal Diocese of California.
All Saints Episcopal Church
All Saints is downtown at 555 Waverley Street, a congregation that first met in 1892. Its website lists a Choral Eucharist every Sunday at 10 a.m., held in the sanctuary (in the courtyard in summer) and streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Morning Prayer meets on Zoom on Thursdays at 10 a.m. A contemplative service with music and a light supper takes place at 6:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. The church also hosts concerts. Its posted December 2026 calendar includes Lessons and Carols on December 13 and a Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist at 5 p.m. The office number is 650-322-4528.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
St. Mark's is at 600 Colorado Avenue in Midtown. Its website lists two Sunday services: an 8 a.m. spoken Eucharist in the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene and a 10 a.m. Eucharist with music and choir, which is also livestreamed. Morning Prayer meets Monday to Thursday at 8 a.m. in the chapel, with contemplative prayer on Fridays and night prayer on Zoom. The church's welcome page says all who seek Christ are invited to the table.
St. Mark's publishes the clearest accessibility note we found: a ramp leads to the front entrance, priests will bring communion to your seat if you tell a greeter and greeters have large-print materials and hearing-assist devices.
Lutheran
Lutheran worship follows a liturgy of Word and Sacrament, with hymns often sung by the whole congregation.
First Lutheran Church
First Lutheran is at 600 Homer Avenue near downtown. Its website lists Sunday worship at 10 a.m. with a reception afterward, plus a 9 a.m. slow-reading group on the Gospel of Mark. The church says all are welcome and its fall 2026 calendar included a chamber concert by the Palo Alto Philharmonic on November 7.
Grace Lutheran Church
Grace Lutheran is at 3149 Waverley Street in Midtown. It lists Sunday worship at 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. with Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m. A livestream link and weekly bulletin are on its homepage. The phone number is 650-494-1212.
Presbyterian
Presbyterian churches are governed by elected elders and share Reformed roots, though local congregations belong to several different Presbyterian bodies.
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Covenant is at 670 East Meadow Drive in south Palo Alto and is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It describes itself as a small, diverse congregation. Worship is Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom, followed by a fellowship hour. Its November 2026 events list Stewardship Sunday on November 15.
Grace Presbyterian Church
Grace Pres meets at 305 N. California Avenue in north Palo Alto. It lists three Sunday services at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and has groups for children, teens, women and Stanford students. The office number is 650-326-7737.
First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View
Just over the city line, First Presbyterian Church of Mountain View is at 1667 Miramonte Avenue. It traces its history to 1851 and marks 175 years in 2026. Worship is Sundays at 10 a.m., with Bible study at 9 a.m. and a coffee and bagel social afterward. Its visitor page says to wear whatever you have on and notes ample parking in its lot and on the street.
Methodist and AME Zion
University AME Zion Church
University AME Zion Church, known as UAMEZ, is at 3549 Middlefield Road. Founded in 1918, it is the oldest historically Black congregation in Palo Alto and a Methodist church in the A.M.E. Zion tradition. Our African American history page covers its story.
Its visitor page is detailed. There is one Sunday service from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., streamed live on YouTube. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade check in at 9:45 a.m. at a courtyard counter. The lot holds about 50 cars, including five accessible spaces, with overflow on Christine Drive. The church says there are no steps from the lot to the sanctuary and wheelchair seating is at the front, though its restrooms are not yet fully accessible. Greeters will not single out newcomers and arriving a few minutes late is fine. The church's phone is 650-272-6742.
United Church of Christ and Christian Church
First Congregational Church of Palo Alto
First Congregational Church is at 1985 Louis Road in south Palo Alto and belongs to the United Church of Christ. It welcomes all to worship every Sunday at 10 a.m. in its sanctuary or online, with groups for children, youth and adults. It also rents space for concerts and weddings.
Palo Alto First Christian Church
Palo Alto First Christian Church is at 2890 Middlefield Road. Its website lists Sunday church at 10:30 a.m. with programs for children. Its recent services through late October 2026 are posted online. The church's phone is 650-327-4188.
Multi-site churches and other languages
Menlo Church
Menlo Church describes itself as one church in several Bay Area locations. Its Menlo Park campus is at 950 Santa Cruz Avenue and its Mountain View campus at 774 Cuesta Drive. Sunday services are listed at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., with an online option. Its visitor FAQ says a T-shirt and jeans are typical. Our Menlo Park guide covers parking on Santa Cruz Avenue.
Central Chinese Christian Church
Central Chinese Christian Church is at 801 San Antonio Road in south Palo Alto. Its website is in Chinese and lists Sunday worship at 10 a.m., also streamed on Zoom, along with Sunday school and fellowship groups. Sermons from late October 2026 are posted. The phone is 650-320-9595.
Cornerstone Community Church
Cornerstone Community Church is a Korean-language Southern Baptist congregation that now meets in Redwood City, with parking at 455 Hudson Street. Its site lists Korean services at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and an English service at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, plus early weekday prayer online. See our page on worship in other languages for more options.
Sunday times at a glance
| Church | Tradition | Sunday service listed |
|---|---|---|
| All Saints, 555 Waverley St. | Episcopal | 10 a.m. |
| St. Mark's, 600 Colorado Ave. | Episcopal | 8 a.m., 10 a.m. |
| First Lutheran, 600 Homer Ave. | Lutheran | 10 a.m. |
| Grace Lutheran, 3149 Waverley St. | Lutheran | 8:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. |
| Covenant, 670 E. Meadow Dr. | Presbyterian (PC USA) | 10:30 a.m. |
| Grace Pres, 305 N. California Ave. | Presbyterian | 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 4 p.m. |
| University AME Zion, 3549 Middlefield Rd. | Methodist (AME Zion) | 10 a.m. |
| First Congregational, 1985 Louis Rd. | United Church of Christ | 10 a.m. |
| First Christian Church, 2890 Middlefield Rd. | Christian Church | 10:30 a.m. |
| Central Chinese Christian Church, 801 San Antonio Rd. | Chinese-language | 10 a.m. |
Tips for a first visit
Good to know
- You do not need to call ahead. Several churches offer an optional online form so a greeter can look out for you.
- Communion practices differ by tradition. If you are unsure, watch the people around you or ask a greeter.
- Many churches hold coffee or a social hour after the main service. It is the easiest way to meet people.
- Childcare and children's programs usually run during the main service. Arrive 15 minutes early the first time to check children in.
- Parking is easiest at the south Palo Alto churches. Downtown churches rely on street parking and city garages.
Many of these churches also host community music. Our guide to choral music in Palo Alto lists concerts in sanctuaries around town.
Frequently asked questions
What Episcopal churches are in Palo Alto?
Two. All Saints Episcopal Church is downtown at 555 Waverley Street with a Sunday Eucharist at 10 a.m. St. Mark's Episcopal Church is at 600 Colorado Avenue with Sunday services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Both stream their main Sunday service online.
Is there a historically Black church in Palo Alto?
Yes. University AME Zion Church, founded in 1918, worships at 3549 Middlefield Road. Its website lists one Sunday service from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and describes the congregation as a multicultural, historically Black church.
Are there Chinese or Korean language churches near Palo Alto?
Central Chinese Christian Church at 801 San Antonio Road holds Sunday worship in Chinese. Cornerstone Community Church, a Korean-language Southern Baptist congregation, now meets in Redwood City and lists Korean services plus an English service.
Which Palo Alto churches stream services online?
Many do. All Saints, St. Mark's, Grace Lutheran, Covenant Presbyterian, First Congregational, University AME Zion and Palo Alto First Christian Church all list a livestream or Zoom option for Sunday worship on their websites.
Do I need to dress up for church in Palo Alto?
Usually not. Several churches say so directly. University AME Zion says some people wear a suit and some wear jeans. First Presbyterian in Mountain View tells visitors to come as they are. Choral Eucharists downtown tend to be a little dressier.