Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley
1 Lawson Road
Kensington, CA 94707
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Contact: Lisa Harrington Bailey
Phone: 510/525-0391 x302
www.uucb.org
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Why We Like This Place
Although the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley is not actually in Berkeley, it’s right next door in neighboring Kensington, high in the hills overlooking an expansive view of Berkeley, El Cerrito, Kensington and beyond. Several elements make this 1960s church popular for weddings: a large central atrium, an adjacent sanctuary with a magnificent Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, and an outdoor brick terrace with a sweeping vista of the San Francisco Bay.
Larger ceremonies usually take place in the Sanctuary, whose one-of-a-kind, 2,752-pipe organ will make your walk down the aisle a memorable one. Nineteen rows of wooden pews face a recessed chancel area which functions as an altar. The chancel is dominated by a huge oak table with two bronze candelabras resting on its surface. To one side is a portable lectern, and to the other a wooden pulpit, decorated with fiery orange ceramic tiles. Smaller weddings use the Terrace or the Atrium with spectacular views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
When the ceremony’s over, the Atrium can be used for the reception or for champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Four towering rubber trees create a leafy canopy, and light from skylights filters in through the branches. In the room’s center, a black marble fountain lined with azure tiles bubbles softly while guests mingle. If you need more space or you’d like an outdoor reception, tables can also be set up on the Terrace. On a clear day, it’s one of the few places in the East Bay where you can dine while admiring vistas of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges or a divine sunset.
Two additional reception options are the Social Hall, which has room for more guests and a stage for a band, and the Fireside Room, whose cozy ambiance and magnificent views make it suitable for small gatherings. You don’t have to be a Unitarian or a member of the congregation to be married here, and you may bring in your own officiant. LGBT couples welcomed.
Capacity
Ceremony |
Reception/Special Events |
Meetings |
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Max. Seated Indoors: 400 Max. Seated Outdoors: 150 |
Max. Seated Indoors: 300 Max. Seated Outdoors: 80 Max. Standing Indoors: 500 Max. Standing Outdoors: 175 |
Max. Seated: 400 |
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CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Sanctuary holds 400 seated, the Atrium 175 seated, the Terrace 150 seated, and the Fireside Room up to 75 seated, theater-style. EVENT/RECEPTION CAPACITY: Depending on the room, the facility can accommodate 50–300 seated at tables or 100–500 standing guests indoors, and 80 seated at tables or 175 standing outdoors. MEETING CAPACITY: Primarily nonprofit organizations hold business functions and fundraisers here. Meeting spaces hold 25–400 seated guests. |
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Fees & Deposits
A $250 deposit is required to secure your date and will be applied to the refundable security deposit. Half of the total fees are due when the room reservation agreement is signed; the event balance is payable 1 month prior to the event. All events must provide a certificate of insurance.
The rental fee is $3,600 for use of the main building (sanctuary, atrium, terrace, social hall and kitchen) for an 8 hour period, which includes setup and breakdown time. An additional refundable security deposit may be required. Organist/pianist charges are additional.
Availability
Year-round, daily. Events are scheduled around the Church’s programmed functions. Events on Saturdays take place 10am–10pm and on Sundays 3pm–10pm. Fees increase sharply after 10pm.
CateringBYOAlcoholBYOLocation UsesCeremoniesWedding Receptions Special Events, Parties Business Functions/Meetings Rehearsal Dinners Services/AmenitiesCatering: BYO, must be approved |
Amplified MusicIndoorsw/ Restrictions Wheelchair AccessWheelchair AccessibleSite ViewsCityscapeOcean/Bay Panoramic Venue TypeChurch/Chapel/TempleRestrictionsAlcohol: BYO; beer, wine and champagne only |
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