Photo website. Millbrook Cathedral – St. Andrew’s United Church
The grand 19th century building, that for decades housed a vibrant church community, became a performance venue and eventually a family residence has been given a new lease on life as a wedding venue. Gone are the pews, choir benches, pulpits, and the organ.
The sanctuary area has been treated to some fresh paint, refinished wood and a new washroom, highlighting the colourful windows and soaring ceiling. The setting can be equipped with chairs for the service, with tables for 140 guests at a sit-down dinner or emptied to provide a generous dance floor.
The most significant changes have happened in the lower level. A former office is now an elegant, feminine change room for the bride and her attendants, and a sizeable commercial kitchen replaces the simple church kitchen. An elegant lounge area with stylish furniture and a lovely stone fireplace fills the space where the Sunday school children met, and several modern washrooms add to the aesthetic and practical appeal of the space. The elevated stage area remains as a setting for live entertainers during an informal cocktail hour or other gathering.
The work continues outside, where the owner is creating an outdoor ceremony space with a bridge crossing over the stream behind the building. Landscaping at the front of the building has begun, with plans for a circular driveway to allow a stylish entrance for bridal parties and their guests as they approach the broad steps to the church.
Liz Joseski is a certified wedding planner from Orono who is helping the owner give this proud historic building a new lease on life. Her experience will help guide couples in decisions ranging from furniture and place setting styles to menus to ensure their special day reflects their personal taste. An on-site event coordinator during the event is included to make sure the event goes smoothly, with additional wedding planning services also available.
Food services are provided by Oshawa catering company Hawley Crescent Culinary, which offers a wide range of food options from casual cocktails and food stations to buffets and fully plated meals. Packages include food and beverage serving staff, with bar package options as well.
While the venue is most suited to wedding events, it can also be rented for other gatherings. The church was tested in May as the owners hosted a free elopement event, but the first official wedding is booked for October. Drop by the Millbrook Cathedral booth at Ladies’ Night to learn more about the owner’s plans. It’s nice to see a prominent landmark like St. Andrew’s United Church find a new incarnation that respects the past while keeping an eye on the future. It’s not a terribly large leap, either – some readers may have already been married at this location, with a little different furniture. KG
