San Luis Obispo County CA Archives Photo Place.....First Presbyterian Church 
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
Marsh and Morro, San Luis Obispo 

History and Description:

In July, 1874, a visiting minister, Rev. Thomas Fraser, gave the first
Presbyterian services in the city of San Luis Obispo.  Ten months later, he
helped to organize the first church.  The eleven original members first held
their services in the Episcopal Church.  A small wooden structure was built but
it soon became apparent that a new building was needed. In 1884, a wooden
building, seating 200, was dedicated. It was constructed on the southeast corner
of Marsh and Morro.  The church at one time had a tower and belfry but high
winds made it necessary to take it down.

The congregation was still growing rapidly and by 1904, plans for a new church
were drawn up by a Los Angeles architect, Thornon Fitzhugh.  Construction of a
new church began; the wood church was renamed Hersman Hall and moved to the
present site of the Shell Gas Station.  The same site on Marsh and Morro was to
be used but the members wanted something that was more prominent in the
community, something which was strong and enduring.  They built what is now
historical architecture.  John Darling was the contractor named for the job and
all the stone work was completed in 160 days.  The stone used was an igneous
rock commonly known as blue granite rubble and was quarried from Bishop's Peak,
the second peak in a row of majestic mountains ending with Morro Rock.  The
quarry can still be seen today from Los Osos Road.  The huge rocks were
transported to the site where they were carved and fitted.  The beautiful
interior woodwork was done by the Waite's Planing Mill.

In 1905, Dr. Hugh K. Walker, D.D., from Los Angeles, dedicated the church.  The
church was built at the cost of $6,783.57 and is now valued at over a quarter of
a million dollars.  The completed building was beautiful with its bell tower,
offices and main sanctuary.  The huge wooden trusses and arches of the roof
structure created spaces of humbleness and reverence.  The craftsmanship was not
only superb in the stone work but also in the interior wood.

In 1925, the congregation continued to expand the church.  Money was borrowed
and more land was purchased for a new educational building adjacent to the
sanctuary.  The stock market crashed and the building was used for giving
dinners and the profits were used to meet interest payments on the mortgage.
During World War II, the building was used to house servicemen and again the
money was used to pay off the loan.  During the pastorage of Rev. Albert J.
Knoll (1951-1961), the sanctuary was enlarged to its present size.

The Presbyterian Church, with its strong, enduring stone walls, great
craftsmanship and quality architectural spaces, is worthy of being a monument of
San Luis Obispo.

Sources:
Louisiana Dart, Curator, San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum
Official Documents and Plans, Presbyterian Church
Presbyterian Church Directory
San Luis Obispo Tribune. May 24, 1905; May 28, 1905
Mrs. A. G. Wilson, 1343 Higuera, San Luis Obispo


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Discovering San Luis Obispo County
by
Carleton M. Winslow


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