Discover the charming St. James 1868, a unique event venue set in arguably the oldest stone church remaining in the city. The 150-year-old building that was once a parish has been renovated with new furnishings and modern amenities. Today, it boasts two main venues, The Abbey and The Hyde, where you can celebrate your special day. Adorned with beautiful stained glass windows and intricate hand-carved panels, St. James 1868 is also one of the select venues chosen for the popular Candlelight concerts.
Situated in downtown Milwaukee, the venue’s convenient location is only a four-minute walk from the Milwaukee Public Library Central Library. Available upon request, there is an adjacent lot with 45 parking spaces that can accommodate up to a 150 guests. Additionally, there are two City of Milwaukee public surface lots, the Library Lot and the Wells Fargo Lot. So, if you’re getting there by car, know that you have a few parking options available.
Facts, Curiosities and Interesting Things about St. James 1868
1. The building was once a parish.
You might wonder why St. James looks like and bears the name of a church and the reason for that is it once really was. St. James’ Episcopal Church was a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee until 2017.
2. The structure of the church was designed by Gordon William Lloyd of Detroit.
The congregation built the stone church we see today in 1867. It was designed by Gordon William Lloyd of Detroit in an English Gothic Revival style. It features walls of Wauwatosa limestone, a tall broach spire topped with a cross and beautiful stained glass windows.
3. The church survived a fire in 1872.
The church was affected by a fire on December 31, 1872, which destroyed the buildings interior, leaving only the walls and bell tower. Two years later, the church reopened for the community and in 1899 a new parish house was added, designed by John Moller.
Candlelight concerts at St. James 1868
St. James 1868 is also one of the few venues in Milwaukee to host stunning Candlelight concerts. Performed by renowned classically trained musicians, these intimate tributes to some of the most celebrated artists in music history are a feast for the senses. As you sit in a cozy and warm setting filled with thousands of flickering candles, you can rediscover some of the most popular songs and compositions by contemporary artists and composers of the yesteryear, like Queen, Adele, Bach and The Beatles.
What else can you do at St. James 1868
St. James 1868 is known for being one of the best wedding venues in the city. But besides hosting fairytale wedding receptions and mesmerizing Candlelight concerts, the event venue also hosts a number of two-hour concerts that celebrate the amazing bands Milwaukee has to offer. Listen to the music of iconic superstars like Prince, Billy Joel, Elton John, and more.
The gorgeous St. James 1868 is a premier venue in Milwaukee that perfectly blends history with modernized furnishings and amenities. We can see why it’s a highly sought-after venue, hosting a range of events, from divine weddings to spellbinding Candlelight concerts.