Bellefield Presbyterian Church

I checked out Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland the other day and was totally impressed with it’s beautiful sanctuary.  Unlike some of the recent churches I’ve photographed, Bellefield’s sanctuary is square and wide open.  The dome ceiling really adds to the spaciousness and the acoustics are great.  While I was there, the church’s worship team was practicing and they are fantastic.  The church is made up of a young college-aged congregation, so they don’t hold back on the worship.  Anyhow, I really enjoyed their music while taking photos.  

A church member stopped by to talk with me and told me that during some financial struggles (possibly during the Great Depression), the church sold four of stained glass windows in the dome to pay the pastor.  How sad, but that’s a glimpse into hard days I hope we’ll never see.

Anyhow, this church is a gorgeous place to get married in.  I suspect it plays second fiddle to Heinz Chapel just down Fifth Avenue.  The two couldn’t be more different.  Bellefield’s brightly trimmed dome and stained glass windows are very cheery.  And there is plenty of light, so its great for photography.