Buerge Chapel At Aldersgate Retreat Center

I didn’t know this retreat center also had a chapel. This would be a nice place for a wedding because it combines the elements of hotel and house wedding but isn’t as fancy/​shmancy as a hotel and no one will make a mess in your house.
I actually came here for a summer retreat in college. It was like a charming cottage. This place was really awesome. It was like staying in someone’s cabin. The rooms are nice and clean and comfortable; there’s a big living room down the stairs that’s fun to entertain in; we went on a beautiful hike in the mountains there and even did s’mores in the outside fireplace. They have a kitchen downstairs and I think the food was good but it wasn’t memorable because I don’t remember what I ate. This cabin one of LA’s best kept secrets in my opinion. Would be a perfect place for a business retreat. It offers privacy and convenience but is also close enough to all the fun stuff LA has to offer.

When my grandfather passed away this past August, I offered to find a venue for his memorial service. He was not a particularly religious man and he had simple, elegant tastes, so I needed to find a venue that would represent the man my grandfather was and meet the logistical needs for the memorial. I emailed several venues during my search but once I started talking to Chris Erickson at Buerge Chapel it was clear that this would be the place. My grandfather’s memorial was held this past weekend and my family is so pleased with how it all turned out and we are so happy we decided to work with Chris and the other folks at Aldersgate. The process was easy, the price was reasonable, the location is gorgeous, and Chris is just the nicest guy to work with. All the guests were amazed by the venue and they all thought it was the perfect place to pay tribute to a very beloved man. Thank you, Buerge Chapel!

My husband and I were recently married at Buerge Chapel. We met with Chris several times throughout the planning process and I think that he is one of the nicest people that I’ve ever met. He is organized and easily answered any questions that we had. On the day of the wedding, he and his staff were delightful and everything was set up perfectly.
The grounds are absolutely stunning– a perfect setting for a smaller wedding. I highly recommend weddings at this simple venue. A special thanks from both of us to Chris for all of his guidance and coordinator alacrity! :)
Jennah & Adam

Buerge Chapel is one of the most treasured «nooks» that is tucked away; it is a hidden gem.
I have been photographing weddings for almost a decade, and can say that not only is the chapel quaint and beautiful, but the relationship that is created with Chris for my clients (and myself) is wonderful.
They are organized, always a pleasure to work with, and reliable. They keep the brides at ease, and really make the wedding planning experience a positive memory.

I never knew this place existed until I attended a wedding here this past Sunday. At first glance from the street Buerge Chapel looks like a small neighborhood park as it is situated in a neighborhood in the Pacific Palisades. The property has a large unique tree which looks perfect for climbing if you are a child and if you are a bride, looking to be married, the little bench in front of the tree is perfect for taking pictures with your bridesmaids.
The chapel squeals cuteness. And it was perfect for the nice autumn wedding I attended. Perfectly decorated, I assume the proprietors of this little chapel allow its brides to decorate the chapel as they see fit. The good thing about this chapel is that it really doesn’t need a lot of decoration other then some flowers because it exudes charm.
I wouldn’t recommend this chapel for overly large weddings. I would think that this would be a perfect spot for brides that had between 25 and 100 people. Anymore and it may feel crowded.
The wedding I went to had seating inside the chapel (for about 40 people) and then the bride had seating set up directly off the two barn doors (if that is what you call them) aka the large opening that opens the inside of the chapel to the outdoors. These two doors open up to a beautiful view of the the large tree I earlier mention.
As an attendee everything appeared to go perfectly with this wedding. It was quite enjoyable to watch my girlfriend get hitched in this cute place located just off the PCH freeway along the coast.

We got married at Buerge Chapel on September 27^th. It was amazing despite being 106 degrees (per
).
Chris and George could not have been more easy going and accommodating. We did not have a lot of time in the way of the planning process as our timeline looked like:
July 24^th — decided to get married in September
Aug 18^th — decided the Norwalk Clerk’s office wasn’t gonna do it for us — we needed something beautiful
Aug 20^th — saw Buerge Chapel in person and said THIS IS IT!
Sept 11^th — left the US for vacation that actually was planned ahead of time
Sept 26^th — returned to the US
Sept 27^th — wedding
I can’t say that I’d exactly recommend this plan of action, but Chris and George made sure that everything went perfectly even when our families had difficulty with their GPSes leading them astray (though thankfully not off the Santa Monica Pier).
Anyone looking for a beautiful place (with minimal stress) for a small wedding in the LA area should visit Buerge as part of their research.

I’ve visited this chapel’s grounds many times over the 10 years I’ve lived in LA. I was there last weekend, and it’s as charming as ever.
I always peek in the windows, it’s too cute.
The chapel is used for weddings, memorial services, reunions, and various other types of gatherings.
Guests can be housed overnight at Aldersgate retreat, next to the chapel grounds.
(A previous reviewer gave a wonderful history of the 1927 historic retreat center.)
The little chapel has a big outdoor stone fireplace, too cool.
The grassy lawn adjacent to the chapel is not a huge space, but it’s a beautiful setting dominated by a majestic shade tree.
Buerge Chapel is a peaceful place, just off the intersection of Sunset & Temescal.
The entrance to Temescal Gateway Park is right across the road, so views of the hills are plentiful.
Buerge Chapel is just one more reason Pacific Palisades is one of the most desirable communities in LA. I’d love to live there. Maybe I will.

A nice quaint chapel perfect for small intimate weddings and even memorial services. Christopher, the point person we worked with was exceptional! Very accommodating to make the event a reality with little effort. Quite reasonable rates and even options to include a stay at the retreat if needed. I was so please while researching options with a friend that I wanted to tell everybody. Nestled across from a residential community, the actual Aldersgate Retreat Center is a house that was moved to this location by two churches long long ago. The chapel was then built to accompany the center. A best kept secret!