Presidio Chapel of Our Lady
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45 Moraga Avenue, SF Presidio
San Francisco, CA
Contact: Special Events
Phone: 415/561-5444
www.presidio.gov
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Why We Like This Place
For soldiers stationed at the Presidio during its early years as a military garrison, this little white church was known as the “Ivy-covered Chapel” for the abundance of vines on its walls. The simple wooden building, with its gabled roof and steeple, was built in 1864 to serve as a place of worship for a small group of military officers and their families. These days, both the ivy and the soldiers are gone, but the Chapel of Our Lady has endured and is now a non-denominational church for ceremonies of all religions.
Although the Presidio is only minutes from downtown San Francisco, it’s completely removed from the “urban-ness” of The City, and it encompasses some of the most beautiful real estate in Northern California. In fact, this former military base is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
To get to the church, we followed Presidio Boulevard from the Marina, but it doesn’t matter which road you take through the Presidio—it’s a lovely drive from every direction. Our route curved through woods and past old officers’ houses and military buildings, all neatly maintained and painted off-white with red roofs. The Chapel of Our Lady is set back from the sidewalk, surrounded by a grove of eucalyptus trees and shrubs. Standing on the front steps, you can see snippets of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge through the trees.
From the outside, the little chapel is still reminiscent of an old country church, but renovations have widened its original footprint and added decidedly modern elements. The chapel has been expanded with side aisles, a baptistery, a dressing room, a choir room, and a sanctuary.
Standing in the chapel on a sunny day, you notice right away how warm and bright it is. The main room is filled with light, flowing in through the two side walls, constructed entirely of clear and multi-colored glass block panels. The altar stands in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window, which lets in even more light. Contemporary-styled wooden pews flank the center aisle, and wooden beams support the vaulted ceiling. Small iron chandeliers and wall sconces provide ambient lighting for ceremonies in the evening or on a misty day.
When the weather is glorious, consider extending the celebration onto the chapel grounds. Guests can gather in the front courtyard to congratulate the happy couple as they emerge from the chapel, then walk over to the side lawn for champagne and light hors d’oeuvres. For a festive touch, add a few umbrella-shaded tables, clad with linens and flowers.
Many couples who get married in the Chapel of Our Lady make life easy on themselves by having their reception at the Presidio Officers’ Club, a one-minute stroll down the sidewalk. Once the social epicenter of this retired military establishment, the historic Mission-style building is a popular location for all types of celebrations.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
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Max. Seated Indoors: 200 Max. Seated Outdoors: 100 |
Max. Seated Indoors: Max. Seated Outdoors: 75 Max. Standing Indoors: Max. Standing Outdoors: 100 |
Max. Seated: 200 |
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Fees & Deposits
The Chapel rental fee for ceremonies is $1,000. A $340 reservation fee is required to secure your date. A $250 insurance fee and a refundable $500 security deposit are required.
For ceremonies with Courtyard receptions, there is an additional $100 charge. A 1-hour rehearsal runs $150.
Availability
Year-round, daily, 10am–2pm or 3pm–7pm for ceremonies. Not available on national holidays or Christmas or New Year’s Days or Eves.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOSites UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYO, licensed and insuredKitchen Facilities: no Tables & Chairs: BYO or through caterer Linens, Silver, etc.: BYO or through caterer Restrooms: not wheelchair accessible Dance Floor: no Bride’s Dressing Area: yes Meeting Equipment: BYO Parking: large lot nearby Accommodations: limited, call for details Telephone: no phone Outdoor Night Lighting: access only Outdoor Cooking Facilities: no Cleanup: caterer or renter View: courtyard and landscaped grounds |
Amplified MusicIndoorsWheelchair AccessNot Wheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsGarden Patio/CourtyardLandscaped Grounds Site TypeChurch/Chapel/TempleHistoric/Landmark Building RestrictionsAlcohol: BYO, licensed and insured serverSmoking: outside only Music: amplified OK until 7pm with volume restrictions Wheelchair Access: no Insurance: extra liability required ($250) Other: decorations require prior approval |
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415/561-5444
www.presidio.gov
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