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First Congregational Church of Berkeley Tickets

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The venue

About First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Located at 2345 Channing Way in Berkeley, the First Congregational Church of Berkeley offers a historic sanctuary for concerts and lectures, plus a newly rebuilt Community Hall. The Dana Street entrance provides convenient access for performance events. This venue blends tradition with modern community spaces, hosting intimate chamber performances and high-profile speakers in a culturally rich setting.

Whether you’re seeking a refined music experience from the Berkeley Symphony’s chamber programs or engaging talks by notable figures, this campus landmark is a cornerstone of Berkeley’s arts scene. Below you’ll find seating details, parking and transit options, and guest recommendations for nearby accommodations and dining to make your visit straightforward and enjoyable.

Venue overview: Historic church campus with a raised sanctuary and the two-story Community Hall (opened around June 2025), replacing Pilgrim Hall which burned in 2016. The sanctuary’s public seating capacity isn’t published, while the intimate gallery seating for the Chamber Series accommodates fewer than 100 guests, with balcony seating available but no elevator access. The Dana Street entrance is the primary access point for performance events.

Accessibility & seating tips: If accessibility is a priority, plan ahead as balcony seating exists without elevator access. For intimate listening experiences or speakers, the gallery-style setup provides a close-up view and immersive acoustics.

Nearby culture & notable guests: The venue hosts concerts and lectures that attract notable figures and performers, including Ta-Nehisi Coates, Patti Smith, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Berkeley Symphony has also performed here in recent seasons.

Stay connected: Official events and updates are shared through the venue’s channels and partner sites. For a smooth visit, consider nearby hotels and restaurants arranged through our trusted affiliate partners for easy planning.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

  • Address and venue: First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94704; performance events use the Dana Street entrance.
  • Venue type and spaces: Historic church campus with a raised sanctuary and a rebuilt South Wing (Community Hall) replacing Pilgrim Hall, which burned in 2016 and was demolished by 2025.
  • Capacity and seating chart: Public sanctuary capacity is not published; Berkeley Symphony notes the Chamber Series uses an intimate gallery setting with fewer than 100 seats; balcony seating exists with no elevator access.
  • Parking and transit: Parking lot entrance at 2335 Channing Way; UC parking underneath the tennis courts at Channing & Ellsworth; Sundays parking often free; 6 blocks from Downtown Berkeley BART; multiple AC Transit routes nearby.
  • Nearby hotels: Hotel Shattuck Plaza (2086 Allston Way); Graduate Berkeley (2600 Durant Ave); Bancroft Hotel (2680 Bancroft Way).
  • Notable events hosted: The sanctuary hosts concerts and lectures; notable speakers and artists have included Ta-Nehisi Coates, Patti Smith, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Berkeley Symphony recently performs there (entrance on Dana Street).
  • Demolished/renamed: Pilgrim Hall (the original community hall) was destroyed by fire in 2016 and demolished; the new two-story Community Hall opened around June 2025.