Georgetown Lutheran Church provides exceptional wedding services in our historical church's Sactuary, facilities and grounds, centrally located on Wisconsin Ave in Georgetown, in the District of Columbia.
We know how difficult it can be to make decisions, so we request that if you can't find the information that you need - to make your special day perfect - that you just give us a call, and allow us to help you make those decisions with the help from our dedicated staff and our church wedding coordinator.
In the meantime, please feel free to read and distribute the information about our church below and if you desire more information, download our wedding planning brochures... or stop by to our Sunday services and meet the members and our staff... we want the very best for you on your special and most precious of days!
2010 Wedding brochure download (MS Word Format)
Church Wedding Coordinator:
GLC requires the use of our own church wedding coordinator while in and using church spaces. It's advisable to contact the church office at your earliest conveinence and make an appointment so we can discuss dates and reserve the best dates possible for you.
Officiants:
Pastor Gaines is required to be responsible for all wedding ceremonies at GLC. However, Pastor Gaines welcomes guest clergy to participate in the ceremonies.
Marriage License:
You must obtain a marriage license from the Washington DC Bureau of Marriage Licenses. Marriage License must be obtained prior to wedding day. Blood tests are a requirement for obtaining a marriage license. We have been asked to request that you first please call the Bureau to obtain complete information, prior to visiting them in person to request a license. Their office is located at 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001. Their telephone number is (202)879-4840.
Sanctuary Information:
The Central Nave at GLC seats approximately 150 adults. Pews/chairs flanking the organ and under the north and south stained glass windows accommodate another 25 people.
Music:
The pipe organ in the rear of the nave is a Baroque-Style Tracker organ built for GLC in 1998 and is available for use in all services. A pre-wedding consultation may be requested to help plan and choose your music selections, prepare any practice sessions with any of your slected vocal or instrumental soloists - who will be performing at the ceremony, and coordinate the service music for your special day.
Once you have reserved the church for your wedding with our wedding coordinator, we ask you to then contact the church music director and secure her services directly for your wedding ceremony. If you prefer to have another organist/pianist play for your service, it is still necessary to contact and coordinate it with our Music Director with regard to the use of the church organ, piano or other music equipment. Again, our Music Director, Patricia Henry, will be happy to provide you with more information and help, if needed.
General Church Information and History:
Georgetown Lutheran Church (GLC) is Georgetown’s first congregation established in 1769, and GLC is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA.) The Cornerstone of the current Sanctuary Building was laid in 1914. Three previous Church Buildings occupied this same corner including a log cabin style building, followed by a wood clapboard building, and a simple brick structure erected in 1865. From that original building, a number of artifacts were retained. The Altar, Pulpit, Baptismal Font, Lectern, and Altar Rails all date back to the early 1800s.
Many beautiful paintings, bibles and crosses from many countries adorn the halls of GLC. In the office entrance you will see many crosses donated by our church membership in their travels and pilgrimages to foriegn lands. And while not a traditional addition to Protestant Churches, we are proud of the Stations of the Cross displayed on the north and south walls. These were presented by a member of the congregation in memory of a loved one. Many of the pews, worship books, and altar pieces were donated to the church from Church members, or from prospective couples on their wedding day. We are happy to share these with you and all who attend our church services.
We pride ourselves in being blessed with many traditions and welcome the newness that celebrations like your prospective wedding day will bring. Additionally, our stained-glass windows adorn all four sides of the Sanctuary and were designed by Tiffany & Co. in the early 1900’s - specifically for GLC. The two large north and south windows display a picture of Rev. Martin Luther (north window) and his coat of arms (south window). The Altar window, facing east, reveals a simple but elegant Cross. Lighting is bright and ample, and reflects mission period styling. Baptismal Fonts and Communal settings are available and can be discussed with the wedding coordinator.
We welcome your guests to learn and enjoy our long, historical placement in Washington DC.
The church's main office entrance and exit faces Wisconsin Avenue approximately 100 feet north from the street corner with Volta Place. Our Volta Place street entrance is intended for entering the main Sanctuary. The original main entrance at the corner of Volta and Wisconsin - up the stairs and into the Sanctuary via the Bell Tower entrace is currently not available for use. We hope to reopen that entrance and dedicate new Carillons in the near future.
We have private waiting rooms available for bridal and groom preparation and for the welcoming of guests. Bathroom facilities are available for you and your guests. A handicap accessible entrance is also available to the sanctuary.
Photography/Videography
There are many fine venues for wedding day photographs both inside and outside the church grounds. You and your photographer are welcome to use these on the days leading up to your wedding, and on your special day.
We also know how important it is to capture your wedding day memories. Therefore, we will make every effort and try to accommodate your and your photographer's requests, provided they reflect the church's character and reasonable.
When officiating, Pastor Gaines prefers to speak to the photographer/videographer prior to the wedding day to discuss requirements and photo oppurtunities or options. Your photographer and guests are restricted from using or taking flash photographs in the sactuary - until the conclusion of the procession. Ample time will be permitted for additional photographs to be taken after the cerremony is completed.
Parking:
GLC does not own a separate parking lot. However, ample public street parking is available in front of the church, along Volta Place, and on 33rd Street. Very limited street parking is available on weekends on Wisconsin Ave. Additional lot parking may be obtained for a small fee by calling the Georgetown Visitation School, which is a short, picturesque walk on Volta.
Availability/Planning
Wedding dates are being accepted for 2010. Please review the following "black-out" dates. We cannot accommodate any weddings on Sundays nor weddings on the following dates:
Season of Lent & Holy Week
November 23-28 (Thanksgiving Week)
December 21-31, 2009 through January 03, 2010(Christmas/New Years)
We also request that at your earliest convience, you give us a call and let us know the date of your celebration.
In closing...
Georgetown Lutheran Church members welcome you to our church and we welcome you to any of our services in order to get to know us. We welcome your family, friends, and wedding party to our house of worship and pray your marriage will be a life-long celebration of love, commitment, and faithfulness. Should you desire membership with our church, we welcome you with an open heart. Should you decide to have your wedding at another site, know that our prayers are with you to find the Lord's blessings on this happiest of occassions - and on your new start together.
"Opening Doors So That All May Know Christ"
Georgetown Lutheran Church
1556 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20007The Rev. Phillip Gaines, Pastor
email: gaines1996@aol.com
Office Telephone (202)337-9070Regardless of your decision to hold your ceremony, we wish you all the blessings of Our Lord, and are glad to have you as one of the times this page has been visited!
All materials copyright (c) 2005, Georgetown Lutheran Church
