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. The chapel is owned by the Old Fort Lowell Neighborhood Association and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. 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 may be rented for the entire day for your wedding and reception. Reception rental includes tables and chairs, white or tan linens and an on-site Venue Manager to ensure your special day is perfect.

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

San Pedro Chapel is a historic and intimate event venue in Tucson, Arizona, offering a unique setting for weddings, elopements, memorials and celebrations of life, private parties, anniversary celebrations, workshops, classes, seminars, and community gatherings. Surrounded by the beauty and character of the Sonoran Desert, our historic Tucson chapel provides a warm and memorable setting for life’s most meaningful occasions.

Our reasonable pricing, free parking and central location make San Pedro Chapel a great choice for your event. Ask about weekday and military discounts!

The Chapel features traditional pew seating for 64 guests and can accommodate up to 75 guests with additional seating. Events may be scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., with all post-event cleanup completed by 10:00 p.m.

Our reasonable pricing, free parking and central location make San Pedro Chapel a great choice. Ask about weekday and military discounts!

Event Packages:

Wedding & Reception
Wedding Ceremony
Elopement
Memorials / Parties
Meetings
Other Events

Wedding and Reception – $3500 The W & R package includes access to the historic Chapel from 9 am – 9:30 pm and Includes use of two private getting-ready spaces, restrooms, a small kitchen, and complimentary use of the venue’s tables, chairs, and linens, if desired. A Venue Manager will be on site throughout the event to support the couple and their vendors, answer questions about the property, assist with venue-related needs, and help ensure the facilities remain clean, organized, and in good working order. Venue management services are provided in partnership with Peace of Mind (POM) Events.

Couples who would like additional event support may arrange services such as setup, teardown, and waitstaff directly through POM Events. For questions about San Pedro Chapel rentals, amenities, or event details, please contact info@sanpedrochapel.com.

Wedding Ceremony Only – $ 2000 Our Ceremony Only package offers up to six hours of venue access, providing plenty of time for setup, your ceremony, photos, and cleanup. Exchange your vows in the intimate setting of our historic chapel, surrounded by the beauty and charm of the Sonoran Desert. This package is designed exclusively for ceremonies and does not include food or reception service.

Elopement – $ 900 Our Elopement package offers an intimate and relaxed way to celebrate your wedding day in the beautiful setting of historic San Pedro Chapel. Available Monday through Thursday, this package includes up to three hours of venue access for up to 20 guests. One table with linen is included for a guest book, cake, or other small display.

Memorials / Parties – $ 600 San Pedro Chapel offers a peaceful and welcoming setting to gather with family and friends, whether honoring the life of a loved one or celebrating a meaningful occasion. Our historic property provides an intimate atmosphere for bringing people together and creating lasting memories. This package includes up to 6 hours of rental and no reception.

For memorials and private gatherings that include food and beverage service, an additional $300 reception surcharge applies. This fee includes the support of an on-site Venue Manager, along with use of the venue’s tables, chairs, and linens.

Meetings – $400 San Pedro Chapel offers a distinctive and welcoming setting for meetings, classes, workshops, seminars, and small group gatherings. Our historic property provides a comfortable alternative to a traditional meeting space, with a peaceful atmosphere well suited for productive meetings. Meeting rentals include up to four hours of venue access and are designed for gatherings that do not include food service.

Other Events – Call for pricing Have something different in mind? San Pedro Chapel’s versatile spaces can accommodate a variety of unique gatherings beyond our traditional event packages. Our property is a wonderful fit for wellness retreats, art exhibits and creative events, university lectures, educational programs, workshops, cultural gatherings, nonprofit events, photography sessions, community programs, and other special events.

Ready to start planning your event at San Pedro Chapel? Contact us by email at info@sanpedrochapel.com or call (520) 634-6853 to learn more. Our Event Coordinator will be happy to answer your questions, discuss your event needs, and help you plan a memorable gathering at our historic Tucson venue.

Chapel FAQs

What’s included in the wedding and reception rental?– A full day rental (9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.) is included. 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 or cream linens
– 75+ folding chairs

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

Is a deposit required to hold the date? A 30% 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).

May 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 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 officiant. 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, loud music and dance floors are 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 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.