After Novato was incorporated in 1960, city officials established City Hall in the former Presbyterian Church, built in 1896. The city purchased the building in 1962, repainted it dark red with white trim, and reopened it as Novato's City Hall in 1963. In 2005, city offices moved to 75 Rowland Way after the hall and surrounding city-owned buildings were deemed structurally unsafe. Renovation in 2008-2009 included moving the building 12 feet north to a new foundation, reinforcing the structure and its fragile steeple, and preserving its historic character, while two adjacent structures were removed to create a civic green. In addition to hosting City Council and other civic meetings, the building serves as a public venue for receptions, banquets, and small performances, and it is renowned as the iconic symbol of Novato.