Historical Marker · No. 175
Site of First Protestant Church
Benicia, Solano County · California
Erected by Historic Landmarks Committee, Grand Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West; Benicia Parlor No. 89, N.S.G.W.; Benicia Parlor No. 287, N.D.G.W.
The bronze's first is carefully fenced: the first Protestant church in California with an ordained resident pastor. Protestant services had been held in San Francisco before, and the qualifier is what makes the claim true. The Reverend Sylvester Woodbridge Jr. organized the First Presbyterian Church of Benicia here on April 15, 1849, in a town founded two years earlier by Robert Semple, Thomas Larkin and Mariano Vallejo and meant to be the bay's chief port. San Francisco won that contest, and the congregation disbanded in 1875. No state plaque stands here, and the Native Sons' bronze carries no date.
What the plaque says
Site of the First Protestant Church in California On this site was organized by the Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge, Jr., on April 15, 1849 the first Presbyterian Church of Benicia. This was the first Protestant church established in California with an ordained resident pastor. The church was disbanded in 1875. Erected by Historic Landmarks Committee Grand Parlor Native Sons and Benicia Parlor No. 89 and Benicia Parlor No. 287 Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West.
Where it stands
38.05353, -122.15713 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Benicia Seminary — steps away
- First Building Erected in California by Masonic Lodge for Use as a Hall — steps away
- Saint Paul's Episcopal Church — steps away
- Fischer-Hanlon House — 0.3 mi