Neighborhood Church

At the turn of the century, Pasadena was a center of gracious living for many of the nation’s industrial magnates. Their desire for imposing homes and openness to new ideas drew talent from across the country, ushering in an era of architectural excellence. Today, with over 600 registered historic landmarks, the city is renowned for its exceptional examples of American architecture, especially the Craftsman style, epitomized by brothers Greene & Greene. Although their famous Gamble House, now operated as a museum, has no facilities for events, couples who are Arts & Crafts aficionados are in luck, because right next door the 1907 Greene and Greene Cole House is the centerpiece of The Neighborhood Church of Pasadena’s campusa surprisingly beautiful wedding location.

The sprawling property, with three main buildings and a schoolhouse, is nestled among towering pine trees that create a sense of "country in the city." The first thing you see when you approach from the front is the historic Cole House itself. Set back off Orange Grove Boulevard on Westmoreland Place, this Craftsman treasure, originally built for a flour mill baron, houses the welcoming center and administrative offices of the church, and integrates all the best elements of its era—massive river rock support pillars, an inviting porte-cochre, and copious use of peg-and-groove redwood. Bridal couples love to pose for photos under the period ironwork light fixture on the huge front porch or in front of the impressive river stone chimney, but due to concern for the preservation of the building, ceremonies and receptions are permitted inside on a very limited basis. The peaceful campus offers a panoply of visual delights in several other choice spots.

The Main Sanctuary is a stunning place to get married. A tall Craftsman-style building to the left of Cole House, it’s blessed with cathedral ceilings, post-and-beam rafters, massive chandeliers and gleaming organ pipes flanking the altar. After saying "I do," serve cocktails in the Lobby. Graced with carved, dark wood and stained glass, it features a wall of windows that overlooks the large back lawn and gardens abutting the quiet Arroyo Seco. Or, if you’d like, you can reverse the order! Exchange vows beneath the back lawn’s majestic redwoods, which gently arch towards each other to form a natural altar. Then have cocktails on an adjoining lawn, and set up dinner in the sanctuary. Yes, in the sanctuary. But before making up your mind, explore your other optionslike tying the knot on the back veranda of Cole House with your guests seated on a grassy area ringed by banks of flowersor in the intimate Chapel, where you’re framed by two stained-glass pastoral scenes while the adjacent gardens create a living backdrop. Church staff give you an incredible amount of flexibility in designing your own personal wedding; they will also officiate for interfaith marriages and partnership unions.

One of the tenets of the Arts & Crafts movement was to weave indoor artistry with the natural beauty of the outdoors. The Neighborhood Church of Pasadena does that seamlessly in a historically charming and memorable setting.

No deals for Neighborhood Church.

No events for Neighborhood Church.