Hold Your Next Meeting in Awe

Sep 8

A great aspect of religious meetings is their focus on creating space for inspiration and to encounter the divine. What meeting places are better than those designed for this very purpose? We met with the team from Experience Columbia SC to talk about their awe-inspiring historic churches that have services and amenities to host your next event.

Why do COLUMBIA’S historic churches provide great venues for conferences?

We love connecting visiting groups with our historic churches so they can experience these wondrous spaces for themselves! For generations these churches have welcomed people into worship, artfully crafted to inspire and connect people with their faith. This makes them perfect gathering places for faith-based groups. In addition to being inspired spaces, we’ve found that our large historic churches provide practical advantages for meetings, such as: central and convenient locations in town, close proximity to hotel partners, ample parking, adaptable break-out spaces, and affordable rental pricing.

Our church partners are also incredibly helpful in identifying local speakers, music and entertainment options, as well as connecting with preferred catering partners. They understand the needs of large groups as they welcome thousands of people and host a variety of events every week.

Tell us about some of Columbia’s awe-inspiring churches that host events.

Columbia’s awe-inspiring churches have hosted everything from United States Presidents to festivals and Zumba classes.

First Baptist Church of Columbia built its original building in 1811. The second church building (now called Boyce Chapel), built in 1859, is a National Historic Landmark and hosted the first state convention in South Carolina as it was the largest meeting venue in Columbia at the time. The original brick building features a breathtaking Roman Tuscan portico and pilasters. Connected to this landmark is a newer, 3,400-seat sanctuary with modern amenities and multiple meeting spaces. The additions to this church continue the historic character, including a towering spire.

Brookland Baptist Church has served as a place of worship for African Americans for over 100 years. Six women and two husbands braved the prejudices of Southern culture to help build a congregation that is now a mega-church campus. This historic church has nine pastors and manages 60+ ministries. In addition to hosting major conferences, their community service reach includes a community daycare, a credit union, and an extensive food pantry.

Boyce Chapel by Joshua Aaron Photography

First Baptist of Columbia

Brookland Baptist Church

Brookland's Conference Center

Why does Experience Columbia love to serve religious planners?

Our team relates well to this market and we respect Faith and faith leaders. Many of our team members attend church regularly and serve in their congregations. We work well with religious planners because we understand their spoken and unspoken needs, we value their business regardless of the size, and we relate to their multifaceted requirements and expectations.