Searching for the Holy Grail

We had a few hours to spare before Rosie's 30th birthday so we decided to go and check out possible churches.  Thank  goodness that we live in San Diego because the Diocese of SD has an awesome website. 

St. Joseph Cathedral

On the corner of 3rd and Beech, you are greeted by beautiful iron steps leading up to massive wooden doors that opens up to long rows of beautiful white columns lining both sides of the isles. (I'm a sucker for steps because it's great for photo opt!)

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I love the wood work of the ceiling and the beautiful stained class windows brought in a wonderful amount of natural light.  This is one of the few "Cathedral" in San Diego and it's definitely grand inside.  If you want the dramatic entrance, this will definitely do since there were at least 25 rows of seats.   Excellent for a large bridal party...

 

                                                                            Right down the street in "Little Italy" on Columbia and Date is a little church called Our Lady of the Rosary.   This tiny little church is wonderful, my favorite so far!

Beautiful floor to ceiling stained glass windows depicts one of the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary.  Gorgeous painting on the walls and ceiling reminds me of churches seen in Europe.  I like how it's very quaint and because it's so petite, it's warm and personal.    CLICK HERE --> Virtual tour of OLR

We swung by Old Town where we visited the Immaculate Conception on San Diego Avenue.  Did you know that two of the original bells of the San Diego Mission - one is located in the Mission San Diego de Alcala in Mission Valley and the other is here in the bell tower of Immaculate Conception in Old Town.   

We then visited a few more church that on first glance we knew wasn't for us: We went to St. Vincent de Paul on Hawk and Lewis.  I would describe it as very contemporary and minimalist.    Saint Charles Borromeo in Point Loma was too huge.  The Immaculata in USD was nice but I didn't feel any sentimental connection to it.             The search continues as we try to figure out the right place to have our wedding ceremony.  This is definitely next task on the TO-DO list.