About Us
Bringing hope to everyone by living out our identity in Christ every day.
At Menlo Church, all are welcome to attend, explore, and participate in taking steps of faith toward Christ. We recognize that doubts and questions about faith are a normal part of spiritual growth, and we do not claim to have all the answers. We do claim, however, that all the answers can be found in the person of Jesus.
For the bay
Churches are often known more for what they are against rather than what they are for.
At Menlo, we are FOR THE BAY because God is, too. We want to be the kind of church that people are glad to have in their neighborhood.
Our story
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church was Founded
Our church has a rich history that dates back to November 30, 1873, when thirteen men and women founded Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC) to serve the spiritual needs of their small farming village. The original one-acre church site was donated less than a year after the church was founded, and the church met for the next 76 years at 700 Santa Cruz Avenue and Chestnut Street.
A new beginning
In 1920, church membership dwindled to seven members. It was one member’s persistence to keep the church open that allowed Menlo Church to survive that chapter and go on to become a spiritual and social center for Menlo Park during the Depression era. Menlo Church moved to its current Menlo Park campus location in 1950 and grew from there.
Menlo moves to its current menlo park campus
Abandoning plans to rebuild in the heart of the business district, MPPC laid a new cornerstone at its present Menlo Park campus. The 1950’s and ‘60’s, though often turbulent, marked the growing membership’s commitment to Jesus Christ, to prayer, and to missions outreach. The sanctuary was expanded again in 1970.
Menlo launches multiple campuses
In response to high growth (standing room only for some worship services!) Menlo Church launched a campus in San Mateo in 2007 and another in Mountain View in 2008. These were our early steps into multisite ministry, an effort that was propelled forward more easily after Menlo Church joined the ECO denomination in March 2014.
Menlo adapts to challenges
Unique challenges and opportunities came in 2020 and our staff rallied to remain focused on our mission online and in-person. During this time our South City campus was closed and folded back into the San Mateo campus in 2021 and our San Jose campus merged with Saratoga in 2023 to sustain ministry in the Bay area and beyond.
for the bay and beyond
The Bay Area has become skeptical and even resistant to people and places that claim to be Christian. To reach our friends, neighbors, and co-workers, we must not only be an enduring Gospel province but become an endearing gospel presence. Imagine if...by 2033, 3% of the Bay Area were beginning to wake up to the surprising freedom found in Christ
Our Story
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church was Founded
Our church has a rich history that dates back to November 30, 1873, when thirteen men and women founded Menlo Park Presbyterian Church (MPPC) to serve the spiritual needs of their small farming village. The original one-acre church site was donated less than a year after the church was founded, and the church met for the next 76 years at 700 Santa Cruz Avenue and Chestnut Street.
A new beginning
In 1920, church membership dwindled to seven members. It was one member’s persistence to keep the church open that allowed Menlo Church to survive that chapter and go on to become a spiritual and social center for Menlo Park during the Depression era. Menlo Church moved to its current Menlo Park campus location in 1950 and grew from there.
Menlo moves to it’s current menlo park campus
Abandoning plans to rebuild in the heart of the business district, MPPC laid a new cornerstone at its present Menlo Park campus. The 1950’s and ‘60’s, though often turbulent, marked the growing membership’s commitment to Jesus Christ, to prayer, and to missions outreach. The sanctuary was expanded again in 1970.
Menlo launches multiple campuses
In response to high growth (standing room only for some worship services!) Menlo Church launched a campus in San Mateo in 2007 and another in Mountain View in 2008. These were our early steps into multisite ministry, an effort that was propelled forward more easily after Menlo Church joined the ECO denomination in March 2014.
Menlo adapts to challenges
Unique challenges and opportunities came in 2020 and our staff rallied to remain focused on our mission online and in-person. During this time our South City campus was closed and folded back into the San Mateo campus in 2021 and our San Jose campus merged with Saratoga in 2023 to sustain ministry in the Bay area and beyond.
for the bay and beyond
The Bay Area has become skeptical and even resistant to people and places that claim to be Christian. To reach our friends, neighbors, and co-workers, we must not only be an enduring Gospel province but become an endearing gospel presence. Imagine if...by 2033, 3% of the Bay Area were beginning to wake up to the surprising freedom found in Christ
OUr leadership
Phil has been serving in ministry for more than 20 years and couldn’t be more honored to be a part of the Menlo Church community. Phil is passionate about teaching the Bible, developing other leaders, and equipping other followers of Jesus to reach those who are close to them but far from God.
He is excited about the opportunities and reach that the culture and technology of the Bay area can uniquely use in spreading the Gospel and inviting people from all backgrounds to be a part of finding and following Jesus.
policies and procedures
Menlo Church is committed to the highest possible standards of ethical, moral, and legal conduct. Below are links to the policies in place.