About First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
Our warm and loving church shares God’s love, revealed in Jesus Christ, in our lives together and in service to our community.
Our community openly embraces guest and visitors. You may attend church or participate in events as much or as little as you like and not be judged. Adults and children can grow by participating as leaders in worship services, organizing or helping with special events, and participating in regular activities.
We share a sense of hope and joy, and express it through worship, choir, musical and cultural performances, Bible study, adult education, Youth Connection, lunches, barbecues, retreats, and home gatherings.
We share a sense of hope and joy, and express it through worship, choir, musical and cultural performances, Bible study, adult education, Youth Connection, lunches, barbecues, retreats, and home gatherings.
We are inspired by scripture and the teaching of Martin Luther King, Jr. We offer events relating to racism, sexism, homophobia, civil rights and trans-visibility. We are a More Light faith family and are committed to welcoming and including the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our Staff
Matt Prinz
Pastor
Rev. Matthew (“Matt”) Prinz cares deeply about building Christian community, formed in the way of Jesus, to contribute to justice and peace in the city of Oakland. As pastor, his mission is to bring our church community closer each other and to God and to grow in our love for our neighbors and city.
Inspired by the church’s leadership and participation in the abolition and civil rights movements, Matt believes that a multi-racial/multi-generational church fellowship can be a gift to our city. He believes that as we grow into God’s beloved community – we will help to dismantle systems and structures upholding white supremacy, patriarchy, and homophobia within our culture.
A native Californian who grew up in Ventura, Matt received a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2004. He was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament on December 10, 2006. Matt lives in East Oakland with his wife Susannah and their two daughters Monrovia and Ruby. He enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, running, looking at contemporary art, and coaching his daughters’ soccer teams.
Email: matt@firstchurchoakland.org
Office Phone: 510-488-3812
Matt Prinz
Pastor
Rev. Matthew (“Matt”) Prinz cares deeply about building Christian community, formed in the way of Jesus, to contribute to justice and peace in the city of Oakland. As pastor, his mission is to bring our church community closer each other and to God and to grow in our love for our neighbors and city.
Inspired by the church’s leadership and participation in the abolition and civil rights movements, Matt believes that a multi-racial/multi-generational church fellowship can be a gift to our city. He believes that as we grow into God’s beloved community – we will help to dismantle systems and structures upholding white supremacy, patriarchy, and homophobia within our culture.
A native Californian who grew up in Ventura, Matt received a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2004. He was ordained as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament on December 10, 2006. Matt lives in East Oakland with his wife Susannah and their two daughters Monrovia and Ruby. He enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, running, looking at contemporary art, and coaching his daughters’ soccer teams.
Email: matt@firstchurchoakland.org
Office Phone: 510-488-3812
Joel Mackey
Parish Associate
Rev. Joel Mackey brings a long history of spiritual commitment and community service to First Presbyterian Church of Oakland. Joel has spent his life’s calling to serve as part of a community active in ‘repairing the world’ through tangible acts of justice, mercy, and grace. His significant lifelong experience in nonprofit organizations has focused on the housing, educational, economic. and spiritual needs of people. He is thrilled to be called to a ministry setting where the congregation is engaged in concretely serving its community.
A long-time Bay Area resident, Joel is currently a professional clinical counselor at Bay Area Community Resource and an attorney in private practice. Joel is a graduate of Northwestern University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University and has a passion for coaching youth sports.
Email: joelmackey@comcast.net
Joel Mackey
Parish Associate
Rev. Joel Mackey brings a long history of spiritual commitment and community service to First Presbyterian Church of Oakland. Joel has spent his life’s calling to serve as part of a community active in ‘repairing the world’ through tangible acts of justice, mercy, and grace. His significant lifelong experience in nonprofit organizations has focused on the housing, educational, economic. and spiritual needs of people. He is thrilled to be called to a ministry setting where the congregation is engaged in concretely serving its community.
A long-time Bay Area resident, Joel is currently a professional clinical counselor at Bay Area Community Resource and an attorney in private practice. Joel is a graduate of Northwestern University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University and has a passion for coaching youth sports.
Email: joelmackey@comcast.net
Jake Fontana
Music Director
Jake Fontana is an organist, pianist, and choir director originally from the east coast with decades of experience in church music. He has studied at Holy Cross, Oberlin Conservatory, and Yale School of Music and spent a year abroad in Germany studying historical instruments as a Fulbright Scholar. He is the recipient of multiple international prizes in organ and harpsichord performance. Most recently Jake served as Director of Music at an Episcopal church in Connecticut. Currently he lives with his wife Christina in Emeryville and is pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology in Berkeley.
Email: Jake@firstchurchoakland.org
Jake Fontana
Music Director
Jake Fontana is an organist, pianist, and choir director originally from the east coast with decades of experience in church music. He has studied at Holy Cross, Oberlin Conservatory, and Yale School of Music and spent a year abroad in Germany studying historical instruments as a Fulbright Scholar. He is the recipient of multiple international prizes in organ and harpsichord performance. Most recently Jake served as Director of Music at an Episcopal church in Connecticut. Currently he lives with his wife Christina in Emeryville and is pursuing a doctoral degree in psychology in Berkeley.
Email: jake@firschurchoakland.org
Jennifer Edwell
Church Administrator
Dr. Jennifer (“Jen”) Edwell has extensive training in rhetoric, experience working on administrative teams, and a passion for thinking deeply about religion. She is eager to help find tangible ways the church can be effective while anchoring in deep truths and sacred convictions. In the front office, she works to streamline processes, craft compelling communications that articulate what is important, practice stewardship of our beautiful building and resources, and support the many people and ministries connected to the church.
Jen and her wife, April, have three young kiddos. They love exploring local parks and playgrounds around Oakland!
Email: jene@firschurchoakland.org
Jennifer Edwell
Church Administrator
Dr. Jennifer (“Jen”) Edwell has extensive training in rhetoric, experience working on administrative teams, and a passion for thinking deeply about religion. She is eager to help find tangible ways the church can be effective while anchoring in deep truths and sacred convictions. In the front office, she works to streamline processes, craft compelling communications that articulate what is important, practice stewardship of our beautiful building and resources, and support the many people and ministries connected to the church.
Jen and her wife, April, have three young kiddos. They love exploring local parks and playgrounds around Oakland!
Email: jene@firschurchoakland.org