Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ — Attraction in Coral Gables

I would like to share my experience getting married at Coral Gables Congregational Church as a non-member. First and foremost, I must highlight how wonderful Pastor Daniel is. He was incredibly patient, kind, and a constant source of support throughout our wedding planning process. We planned our wedding in less than 2 months due to a family member being diagnosed with a terminal illness. Our goal was to create lasting memories and capture meaningful moments with our parents involved during this difficult time.

Unfortunately, my experience with the wedding coordinator, Mariana, was less than ideal. Our wedding was small, and we chose not to include floral arrangements or decorations in the church. In hindsight, this decision likely saved us from additional challenges, as I suspect organizing such details would have been difficult given our experience with Mariana. We selected music of our choice for the ceremony, and Marianna informed us that there would be an additional $200 fee for this, which we promptly paid.

Additionally, we selected on the music selection form that Mariana sent us that a pianist would play during the interlude while guests were being seated. Unfortunately, this did not happen due to what Mariana referred to as a "misunderstanding."

A few weeks prior to the wedding, Mariana became agitated over the phone when she received our music selection. The music was due on a Friday, we unfortunately submitted it late, on the following Monday Morning, still well in advance of the wedding. When speaking with Marianna on the phone, she expressed frustration about the delay and about the overall last-minute nature of the planning. She seemingly forgot the nature of the expedited wedding planning was due to the terminal illness of a family member.

Another significant issue was the lack of coordination during our rehearsal. Mariana was not present at the rehearsal and was unaware of the order of the music or when the processional was scheduled to begin. As a result, she rushed my bridal party down the aisle, which caused unnecessary stress and disrupted the flow of the ceremony and the music, for which we paid an additional $200. Additionally, the pianist, which was promised and included in the cost of the ceremony, was not provided due to the same “misunderstanding.”

All in all its such a beautiful church. The music coordinator and pastor were absolutely lovely. Unfortunate interaction with the wedding...

At Miami Grill Catering, we're thrilled to share our unique experience at Coral Gables Congregational Church. We recently had the privilege of catering a remarkable charity event for 150 guests at this breathtaking venue. The event was a resounding success, with guests raving about the food and the venue's ambiance.

The church itself is a real gem in the heart of Coral Gables. Its historic charm and elegant architecture set the perfect vibe for any event. When you walk in, you're instantly hit with those classic vibes – high ceilings, stained glass, and a sense of community that makes everyone feel at home.

As a catering company, the highlight for us was the fully functional kitchen on site. It was a game-changer, providing us with the confidence that we could deliver our best. This kitchen was legit – spacious, well-equipped, and sparkling clean. It made whipping up our Italian feast a total breeze. We had everything we needed right at our fingertips.

The guests loved our Italian menu, and the compliments were flowing like fine Chianti. We served up a mouthwatering spread that included antipasto platters, creamy risotto, tender chicken marsala, and our signature meatballs, which had everyone coming back for seconds. The fresh ingredients and authentic flavors shone through, and we could tell from the smiles and empty plates that we were hitting all the right notes. Our chefs meticulously prepared each dish, ensuring that every bite was a delight.

The ambiance, the facilities, and the people all come together to create an unforgettable experience. If you're looking for a venue that's as classy as it is functional, this is the spot. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Coral Gables Congregational Church for not just hosting, but for being an integral part of such a...

I went with my son and my elderly mother thrice to events held at this church.

The first time was for Christmas 2023 when the church organised a lovely program with teenagers playing musical bells and children dressed up as Joseph and Mary with a doll for Baby Jesus and other kids dressed like shepherds, angel’s and the 3 wisemen. The children and adults with them all sang beautifully!

The second time we three went there was on August 8, 2024. The church was hosting a musical performance by Doreen Ketchens, “The Clarinet Queen of New Orleans, Louisiana”. She sang black spiritual songs, jazz songs and Mardi Gras songs. She was accompanied by her husband who played the tuba and her daughter who played the drums. Even their grand-baby accompanied the family in his stroller since they want to ensure that they are never apart from each other since, when their daughter was a child, they were temporarily separated from their daughter as a result of families being scattered on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

The third time we three went there was on August 22, 2024. The church was hosting a musical performance by Lucy Yeghiazaryan accompanied by a bass player and a guitar player. She sang both jazz songs about love and a folk song from Armenia, her home of origin before she immigrated with her family to the USA. She has a beautiful and soulful voice that was best described by the church music organizer as "lush".

This is a beautiful and historic church with a 100-year old history. The pastor is a woman. She and her congregation are kind, friendly and welcome everyone to attend their church and to participate in its many community events and activities.

We will return to check out their regular church services and other musical...