Oaks Pioneer Church

The historic Oaks Pioneer Church, first built in 1851, has survived several relocations and renovations to become a mainstay community gathering place and wedding chapel in Sellwood. Originally, built in Milwaukie, the church made several moves, and was eventually barged downriver to its current location in 1961, a stone’s throw from Oaks Park and the Willamette River.

While the church once fell into disrepair and victim to questionable interior design choices of yesteryear, it has undergone several renovations to restore the structure to its classic glory. Originally an Episcopal church, it is now a non-denominational chapel and welcomes couples and guests of all backgrounds, sexual orientations, and beliefs or lack there of.

An assembly of dark diagonal wooden paneling envelopes the interior structure and frames the intricate stain glass windows. Overhanging golden, vintage chandeliers cast a cozy warmth over the ceremony area, while the large flanking windows let in plenty of natural light. Eight rows of refurbished pews accommodates up to 75 guests, perfect for smaller weddings and elopements. The grounds surrounding the chapel have been meticulously landscaped with a rose garden, rhododendrons, Japanese maples and towering oak trees.

Getting Ready Rooms

Oaks Pioneer Church offers a getting ready room with large mirrors and a bathroom. But these accommodations are on the smaller side. If your getting ready processes isn’t elaborate then this setup might meet your needs. However, if you’ll have a few people getting ready with you or you want some extra space then an Airbnb or hotel might be a better idea.

Reception Area

There is unfortunately no dedicated reception area at Oaks Pioneer Church. If the weather is nice, the outside cement patio has a couple benches and can function as an impromptu area to give a couple speeches and crack a bottle of champagne. However, unless you’re eloping you’ll probably want to look into a venue suited better for a proper reception with dinner and dancing.

Nearby Attractions

Visiting friends and family can enjoy the variety of entertainment at Oaks Pioneer Amusement Park. For a more low-key stroll between wedding events, the beautiful Sellwood Bridge is located only a couple blocks down the street with a small beach, wonderful for a picnic or a place to put in on the river if you have a paddle board to loan. The Sellwood neighborhood also offers a number of wonderful coffee shops, restaurants, and bars. I particularly love the Portland Fish Market’s fish’n chip window. It only has outdoor seating, but it’s delicious and one of the few places in town you can get it gluten free. You might also want to check out the Bible Club, an eclectic prohibition-style speakeasy that makes creative cocktails with the finest spirits.

Venue Perks

Seating for 75 people
Handicap accessible
Antique pump organ
Small dressing room and restroom
Garmet Armoire and coat racks
Discreet side entrance
Drinking fountain
Front Courtyard with benches
Courtesy host to assist with logistics
Entry table for guest book and gifts

Lodging

No lodging is available at Oaks Pioneer Church. If you want to get ready close to the venue in the Sellwood area then an Airbnb might be your best option, as most of the nicer hotels will be located closer to downtown. Keep in mind that if you prefer a hotel, you’ll need to work in transport time from your getting ready location to the chapel.

Price Range

(Pricing as of 2024)

For 3 hours of time at the church plus an hour rehearsal on a different day, you can book your wedding at Oaks Pioneer church for approximately $900-$1250 depending on high or low season or weekend or weekday. Additional time can be added for $350.

Elopements during the high season with no more than 15 people can rent the chapel for $750 for a 1.5 hour minimum. Each additional half hour is $175.

Elopements during the low season (November-April) will look to spend $650 for a 1.5 hour minimum. Each additional half hour is $150.

Photo Opportunities

There are plenty of photo opportunities at Oaks Pioneer church, including the chapel itself and its beautiful wood paneling walls and stain glass windows as backgrounds. Outside, the wonderfully manicured grounds will feature nicely in your photos. And just a couple blocks away you can be framed beneath the elegant curves of the Sellwood Bridge on a quiet beach along the Willamette at sunset.

Seasonal Availability

Oaks pioneer church is available to book for your small wedding or elopement year round. Couples will want to take into account the busy summer months to land their wedding date, as the venue books north of 300 weddings a year.