San Pedro Chapel

A jewel at the heart of Tucson’s rustic beauty.

The San Pedro Chapel sits on a hillside overlooking the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood with spectacular views of Tucson’s Catalina Mountains. It is both a neighborhood icon and a national treasure – Tucson’s first designated Historic Landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built of mud adobe by residents of the neighborhood in 1932 and served as their principal place of worship for decades. Although no longer used for worship services, this beautiful historic site is the venue for many weddings and other events, such as neighborhood gatherings, historic lectures, art exhibits and memorials.

Once they see it, most people planning a wedding in Tucson are eager to reserve it for their special day. They love its beauty, historic charm, native desert setting, and its reasonable price as compared with many other wedding venues in Tucson. Completely restored, the historic Chapel provides seating for up to 64 guests and can accommodate up to 75 people (to include wedding party). The exposed beam ceiling, rustic details, and charming artwork provide an elegant and authentic setting for virtually any event.

The 2.5 acre site has three other buildings. The Adobe House with a charming adobe fireplace is the perfect location for the groom’s dressing room, buffet table set up, family gatherings, or small meetings. The Turner Building accommodates the bride’s dressing room with a separate restroom and privacy. A support building provides a small kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher and prep area. Ocotillo covered ramadas create spaces for dining and music. Surrounding the courtyard is native desert vegetation that suggests a natural, rural site, but it is conveniently located in mid-town Tucson.

Unlike the typical wedding location, San Pedro Chapel can be rented for the entire day the ceremony takes place. Reception rental includes tables and chairs, white linens and many decorations stored on site that can be used free of charge.

The buildings at San Pedro are also available for concerts, recitals, lectures, meetings, workshops, art shows and other community gatherings.

the Chapel View the Gallery

Gallery

http://www.meredithamadeephotography.com

Andrea Cristina Photography

Tara Leine Wedding Photography

Betsy and John Photo

Seating area in front of chapel

Photo by Kimberly Larson Photo

Bartending Service

Joyful Roots Photography

Bride and Groom Table

Photo by Kimberly Larson Photo

Betsy and John Photography

Photo by Spanglish Love Photography, Jessica Escalante

Photo by Michael Chansley Photography, www.michaelchansley.com

Photo by Michael Chansley Photography, http://www.michaelchansley.com

Joyful Roots Photography

Photo by Kimberly Larson Photo

Photo credit: Mark Wangerin

Photo by Kimberly Larson

Photo by Kimberly Larson Photo

Beehive fireplace in the Adobe House

Kimberly Larson Photography

Joyful Roots Photography

Photo by Kimberly Larson Photo

Photo by Scott Rice Photography, scottricephotography.com

AndreaCristinaPhotography

Rent the Chapel

Rent the picturesque San Pedro Chapel for your next function!

San Pedro is an ideal venue for baptisms, coming of age celebrations, intimate weddings, elopements, private parties, classes and seminars, workshops, memorials, anniversary celebrations and other neighborhood community events. The Chapel seats 64 and can accommodate up to 75 people maximum. Events can occur between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. with post-event cleanup completed by 10 p.m.

The rental fee for weddings with receptions includes use of the Chapel, its grounds, an ancillary building for getting ready, restrooms, small kitchen, tables and chairs and white linens.

An ideal location at an ideal price.

Our reasonable pricing, free parking and central location make San Pedro Chapel a great choice.

Wedding Ceremony $ 1800
Wedding & Reception $ 3400 (See note 1)
Elopement $ 900 (see note 2)
Memorials $ 600** (up to six hours)
Meetings $ 400 ** (up to four hours)
Other Events Call for pricing

Note (1) A Venue Manager will be on site for all Weddings & Receptions to support our couples, direct vendors, answer questions regarding the property, and ensuring that facilities are clean and in good working order. These services are provided by Peace of Mind (POM) Events. Additional details are available by contacting info@sanpedrochapel.com. Additional services, such as set up, tear down and waitstaff are available by contacting pomeventstucson.com.

Note (2) Elopement pricing is Monday – Thursday only, up to three hours, no meal service, up to 20 guests. Includes use of one table and linen for guest book or cake.

**A $150 surcharge for tables, chairs and linens will be added if an event (other than weddings) includes the serving of food and beverages.

Contact us today by email or call (520) 634-6853 to learn more. The San Pedro Chapel Event Coordinator will work with you to ensure your special event is perfect.

San Pedro Chapel has been featured in WeddingRule Top 10 Small Wedding Venues in Tucson (2023) article: https://www.weddingrule.com/small-wedding-venues/arizona/tucson/#SanPedroChapel

Chapel FAQs

What’s included in the rental?– A full day rental (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.). There is no stress in having to work around someone else’s schedule.
– Full use of the San Pedro Chapel, Adobe House, Services Building and 3 1/2 acres of our beautiful natural setting.
– 20 3×6 tables – white linens
– 75 folding chairs – use of donated decorations in our décor closet

We also try to provide a one to two hour courtesy window the day before for rehearsals. This is contingent on whether we have a committed rental for that day.

Is a deposit required to hold the date? A 25% non-refundable deposit is required upon contract signing to reserve the date and services. The balance is due 30 days before the event. For events booked within 30 days of the event, full payment is required at that time.

May I hire my own wedding coordinator? Yes, you may hire any licensed wedding coordinator of your choosing. We will provide a Venue Manager to oversee your rehearsal and day of wedding coordination (we are partnered with POM Events, certifiably trained by the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC).

Can I bring my own food/use my own caterer? Yes. We provide a small kitchen equipped with refrigerator, sink, and microwave (no stove). The Adobe House is available and ideal for setting up a buffet line. You and/or your caterer provide the food. You create the setup the way you want per your needs and costs.

What is your alcohol policy? Alcohol may be served by a licensed bartender.

Do you provide the officiant/pastor?
You must provide your own officiate. Couples being wed have had reverends, ministers, pastors, judges, shamans, healers and newly-licensed friends perform their nuptials.

Is the chapel non-denominational? Yes, the chapel is non-denominational.

What is the seating capacity inside the San Pedro Chapel? The Chapel pews seat up to 64 people. Events may have up to 75 people in attendance.

Do you have AC/Heat? Yes. The San Pedro Chapel, Adobe House and Services Building are temperature controlled.

Can I have music and a dance floor? For the courtesy of our neighbors, amplified music is not allowed outdoors. Acoustic music is allowed, such as guitar, strings or soft background music (no horns).

Do you provide parking? Yes. There are three parking lots that can accommodate up to 55 cars.

When do we have to clean up and restore things to normal? At the end of your event, you are responsible for restoring the San Pedro Chapel to its original condition. Please allow time for clean-up.

Can my pet be in the wedding? Yes. Well-mannered, four-legged family members are always welcome.

Can I use real candles? No open flame, either inside the Chapel or outside on the Chapel grounds is permitted. Electric or battery-operated flicker candles work well and create a very nice ambience.

Does the chapel provide soap, towels, toilet paper, trash bins, etc.? Yes. These basic necessities are provided.

Are there any hidden costs? There are no hidden costs, taxes or service charges, or surprise add-ons. Please see the “Rent the Chapel” section for current rates.

Do you require event liability insurance? To protect the historic chapel and grounds and our clients and guests, we will ask you to obtain event liability insurance at a nominal cost from a provider that will be listed in your contract at signing.

Contact Us

Contact the San Pedro Chapel Event Coordinator today for more information. She will work with you every step of the way to ensure your event is perfect and stress free.

San Pedro Chapel Event Coordinator
info@sanpedrochapel.com
Mobile (520) 634-6853

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History

A Rich History

In the early 1900’s, families from Sonora, Mexico began moving to the area they called “El Fuerte” which is now Tucson’s Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood. Initially, they moved into the buildings of the decommissioned Fort Lowell. As the community grew, adobe homes were built, along with a school, a store, a cemetery and a church.

San Pedro Chapel

The current San Pedro Chapel, dedicated in 1932, was built over the ruins of an older church that was destroyed in a tornado. Both were constructed by the El Fuerte community.

The hill where the Chapel stands was once the center of El Fuerte. A cluster of houses stood here, served by a well on the northeast slope. In spring and summer, baseball games were played nearby.

San Pedro Chapel served its people until 1948. In 1993 the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association, Inc. purchased the Chapel. In 2004 the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association began an historic preservation process to restore this piece of Tucson’s history.

La Capillita Sanctuary

This small sanctuary is a reconstruction of the earliest religious structure on this site. First erected in about 1915, La Capillita was served by a Carmelite father who rode out from Holy Family Parish in Tucson. For services, the community gathered in front of this tiny structure under the shade of mesquite trees while the priest stood inside.

In 1997, an archeological exploration revealed the original walls, the mud adobe foundation, and the packed dirt floor of the original sanctuary. The sanctuary was restored with historical accuracy.