You just really can’t beat the acoustics of breathtaking churches. It’s like the songs downright sing themselves beneath those high ceilings… with the help of talented artists, of course. We’ve been fortunate to host quite a few Sofar shows in some of these astounding holy spaces (and many other stunning ones as well), but here are five churches in particular that really took our breath away.
1. St. James Church in London, England
Let’s start with St. James Church in London. The beautiful space in West Hampstead is home to The Sheriff Centre, an organization created to serve the community through charity and events. We’ve had the pleasure of hosting a few Sofar concerts here, including one where a former city lead proposed to his now fiancée.
St. James Church in London, England, photo by Jane Jimenez
2. St Joseph’s Art Foundation in San Francisco, CA
Behold this beautiful, National Historical Landmark in the SOMA neighborhood San Francisco, CA. This 22,000 sq foot renovated church houses St. Joseph’s Art Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to celebrating art in all forms, whether it be through live performances or curated exhibitions. And, fact: it looks incredible in this blue hue.
St. Joseph’s Arts Foundation in San Francisco, photo by Meaghan Maples
3. Church of the Holy City in Washington D.C.
Oh boy, those gothic arches are truly something to behold. This space serves as a Swedenborgian Church most of the time, but occasionally, we get to fill the pews with music lovers for a Sofar concert.
Church of the Holy City in Washington D.C., photo by Jonathan Ackaoui
4. Norwegian Church in London, England
St. Olav’s, or as most know it, the Norwegian Church, is nearly 100 years old. It was opened in 1927 by Olav, the prince of Norway, as a parish for both the Norwegian King and government body who’d been exiled during the Nazi occupation of Norway. Now the space is run by the Heritage of London Trust, and as you can see, they’ve done a top-notch job preserving this gorgeous structure.
Norwegian Church in London, England, photo by Caterina Fontana
5. St. Peter’s in Bournemouth, England
If you look closely, you’ll see a strong attention to artistic detail in this catholic church in southern England. The church was built between 1844 and 1879 by architect G.E. Street, a leader in the Victorian Gothic revival. We’ve had the opportunity to host live music in this beautiful space, to hear a choir full of artists sing out, sans amplification. Trust us, their voices carried.
St. Peter’s in Bournemouth, England, photo by Alice Parmenter.png
