Abstract: A press molding apparatus produces an optical element of high precision efficiently in such a way that an upper mold member is at least slidably operated relative to a shell mold, and the force of an operation member to be applied onto the upper mold member is exerted through the center of the upper mold member when press molding the glass material and releasing the molded optical element. The press molding apparatus in which glass material in a softened state is pressed within a shell mold using mold members slidable with the shell mold and an optical functional surface corresponding to a molding surface of each of the mold members is formed on the glass material is constructed such that at least the upper mold member slidable within the shell mold is operated via a pressing plate by an operation member so as to exert a pressure parallel to a sliding face of the shell mold at its center, and a hook member hung on the operation member is interlocked via alignment means so as to exert a central lifting force.