A Congregation on Garnet Avenue
Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church sits at 1675 Garnet Avenue in the heart of San Diego's Pacific Beach neighborhood, a few blocks from the coast. The congregation belongs to the Presbyterian Church (USA) as part of the Presbytery of San Diego, and describes itself as a Christian community of disciples seeking to glorify God, to grow in Christ, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. Its stated mission is to embrace all people in the Spirit of God and to expand Christ's call to love one another through a lived faith journey.
Sunday Morning Worship
Worship takes place on Sundays at 10:00 am in the sanctuary. The service is led by Interim Pastor Michelle Henrichs and blends traditional and contemporary music. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, with previous worship videos archived there for anyone who wants to catch up. The church is governed by a Session of eight elders, a structure rooted in the Presbyterian Book of Order that oversees preaching of the Word, administration of the Sacraments, and nurture of the congregation.
Serve Love: A Sunday Night Table for the Neighborhood
For more than thirty years, the church has hosted Serve Love, a weekly community dinner that has become a defining ministry of the congregation. Hosting begins at 4 pm every Sunday and the meal is served at 5 pm. The dinner is open to everyone, and the church is intentional about welcoming guests regardless of circumstance, religion, or dietary restriction. Volunteers help prepare fresh produce at Prep Love on Saturdays from 10 am to noon, finish cooking and set up on Sundays from 2 to 4 pm, and serve from 4 to 7 pm. Updates and volunteer opportunities are posted on Instagram at @ServeLovePB.
The Preschool on Site
Sharing the Garnet Avenue campus is Pacific Beach Presbyterian Church Preschool, a Christ-centered, child-led program serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from six weeks to five years old. Director Amy Jones leads a staff that follows the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The preschool uses an emergent, play-based curriculum and is built around the philosophy that each child is a unique creation of God. The program aims to develop children spiritually, socially, emotionally, cognitively, creatively, and physically, and welcomes children of all abilities. Families can reach the preschool directly at preschool@pbpres.org or 858-273-1320.
Worship Arts: Three Ensembles, One Sanctuary
Music is a significant part of Sunday worship, and the Worship Arts ministry offers three ensembles for musicians and singers of every skill level. The Chancel Choir is a traditional SATB choir that leads hymns and choral anthems and rehearses Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Sounds of Worship is the contemporary praise band, with singers, guitar, bass, piano, and drums, rehearsing Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:15 pm. Crusader Bells, the handbell choir, rehearses most Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:15 pm and provides music at least once a month. Director of Worship Music Haley Pettersen invites anyone with an open heart and a love for music to join; reading music is helpful but not required.
Shelter: Youth Group for Middle and High Schoolers
Middle and high school students gather on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for Shelter, the church's youth ministry. The group is described as a welcoming space to explore faith, build friendships, and grow together through activities, discussions, and service. Youth are invited to ask big questions and discover how faith fits into everyday life. Leader Tony Daskalakis can be reached at shelter@pbpres.org.
Life Groups and Bible Studies
Faith formation happens during the week as well as on Sunday mornings. Life Groups are small gatherings that meet for honest conversation, prayer, and mutual support. Weekly options include a Bible study in Knox Chapel every Tuesday at 1:00 pm and a Wednesday evening Bible study. Monthly gatherings include Spill the Tea, a women's devotional and tea party held on the church patio on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 am, and a Men's Breakfast at Broken Yolk on the first Saturday at 8:00 am. A Theology on Tap group, a Cooking Club, and a Prayer Gathering round out the schedule, along with a Young Adult Ministry for younger adults in the congregation.
Community Resources Beyond the Dinner Table
The church points neighbors to the Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA), an ecumenical organization that provides emergency food, clothing, referrals, counseling, transportation assistance for medical appointments, basic first aid from volunteer nurses, and monthly haircuts at its Pacific Beach Center. On its own campus, the church also offers a mail service so that individuals can use the church address to receive mail, either temporarily or long-term. Mail Service Hours run Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am to noon; a photo ID is required.
Rentals and Parking
Two rooms are available for one-time events or recurring use. Calvin Hall is a large meeting space with options for tables, chairs, limited kitchen use, and sound and video projection. Knox Chapel is a smaller meeting room with couches, a table, and chairs. The church also leases a limited number of parking spaces off Hornblend Street at $150 per month, with proof of insurance and a Certificate of Liability required.
Visiting Pacific Beach Presbyterian
The church office at 1675 Garnet Avenue is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm; messages are checked on Mondays and Fridays, though the office is closed those days. Sunday worship is at 10:00 am, with parking available on campus off Hornblend Street. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on YouTube. Visitors interested in Life Groups, Bible studies, music ensembles, Serve Love, Shelter youth ministry, or the Young Adult Ministry can reach the office at church@pbpres.org or 858-273-9312. Online giving is available through the church's giving page.