Historic San Diego circa-1910 Church Reborn as Cool Event Venue

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Circa-1910 Abbey in Uptown San Diego
The Abbey in Uptown San Diego–an architectural icon built in 1910 as a church.                             Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

The Abbey on Fifth Avenue in Uptown San Diego was built as a church back in 1910. Today it’s a premier venue for weddings, concerts, meetings, parties and more. Constructed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, back in the day, neighboring structures in Balboa Park, built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition were graced with complimentary design motifs. Fortunately, more than a century later the Abbey, and the Balboa Park edifices, still stand as elegant reminders of a long vanished era in San Diego. I came to San Diego specifically to experience Hornblower Cruises and Events’ whale watching adventure, and it was by pure chance that I discovered the Abbey and its connection with the harbor cruise company. The Abbey serves as Hornblower’s base of operations for their shipboard culinary offerings. I stopped by the Abbey and discovered that this historically significant building, graced with dramatic stained-glass windows, is a super popular venue for parties, weddings, live concerts, meetings and more. And it has also played a starring role in numerous Hollywood movies and television shows.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NPR PODCAST ALL ABOUT THE ABBEY

Join Correspondent, Tom Wilmer and associate producer, Molly Blaisdell for a visit with Jim Unger, Hornblower’s Vice President, and Rebecca Milkey, Director of Marketing as they talk about the Abbey, past and present.

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Circa-1910 Abbey in Uptown San Diego
The circa-1910 Abbey features Spanish Colonial revival architectural motifs.                    Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Stain glass abounds at the Abbey
The circa-1910 Abbey in San Diego is resplendent with stain glass accents.                                         Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Architectural details abound at the Abbey in Uptown San Diego. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
Architectural details abound at the Abbey in Uptown San Diego. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Abbey Stained glass
Stained glass abounds at the Abbey in Uptown San Diego. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

Vintage lighting at the Abbey
Vintage lights adorn the Abbey in San Diego.                                 Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE NPR PODCAST ALL ABOUT THE ABBEY