Wedding and Picnic Packages

Emmanuel Church | St. John's Church | Picnic Areas

Emmanuel Church

The Emmanuel seats 150 and is available year round for weddings or other services. 

The Emmanuel Church dates back to 1856 and has hosted the weddings of hundreds of couples throughout the years. The church is in close range to some excellent reception locations.                     

Fees:  
Emmanuel Church: $2250 for a three hour church rental. Includes 40 day use passes for church lot.
One hour rehearsal (optional): $250
Refundable Cleaning/Damage Deposit: $500 (refundable as long as no damage occurs)

Liability insurance is required for events.

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment to view one of our churches, please contact the park Special Event Coordinator at (530) 295-2174 or Jerrie.Beard@parks.ca.gov. Or, download the wedding packet here.

The Coloma Methodist-Episcopal church was organized in 1850, making it one of the oldest such congregations in California. The location of the first Episcopal Church is unknown. The first Methodist Church was located on Sacramento Street, (aka: Highway 49).  Later, the Methodists worshipped at the I.O.O.F. Hall and elsewhere, with varying success.

This structure was begun in 1855 and completed in 1856 as an Episcopal Church. By that time Coloma had become the central point in a circuit district that embraced Diamond Springs, Cold Springs, Uniontown (now Lotus) and Coloma.

The Coloma congregation was large in the early days but fell off steadily as people continued to move away.

In 1921, the building became the property of the Methodist Church.  The Methodists restored the structure and made extensive improvements.  It remained an active Methodist Church until 1963.  In that year, the structure was deeded to the State Division of Beaches and Parks at the California-Nevada Annual Conference of the Methodist Church.

Since 1963 the Emmanuel Church has continued to be maintained with care and respect for historic accuracy by the California State Park System.

This church is a testimony to the importance of religion in rural California communities. Its attractive lines continue to grace the town.

The Reverend Caleb Pierce officiated at this church, and to Episcopalians throughout El Dorado County in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. A leaded glass window bearing his name has been restored and will grace the window behind the altar.

St. John's Church

Saint John’s seats 65 and is available year round for weddings or other services.   

Saint John’s Church, dating from the mid-1850s, has a wonderful feel to it, and is a popular choice among couples looking for a historical or rustic setting for their wedding. The church is in close proximity to excellent reception locations.                    

Fees:
St John's Church: $1450 for a three hour church rental. Includes 25 day use passes for church lot.
One hour rehearsal (optional): $250
Refundable Cleaning/Damage Deposit: $500 (refundable as long as no damage occurs)

Liability insurance is required for events.

Note: Saint John's Church is an historic building built in the 1850's and has no ADA (Americans Disability Act) accessibility. There are no restrooms, heaters or air conditioners located in the church.

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment to view the church, please contact the park Special Event Coordinator at (530) 295-2174 or Jerrie.Beard@parks.ca.gov. Or, download the wedding packet here.

The Catholic congregation of Coloma worshipped on this ground since the early gold rush.  This church was opened in 1858, replacing a log church built two years earlier.  On the morning of April 20, 1858, a dedication procession made its way up Piety Hill from the town, led by Father Largan of Placerville.  Mass and dedication ceremonies followed.

After 1860, this little church fell into disrepair as the fortunes of Coloma declined and the congregation dwindled.  In the late 19^th century the building was repaired and was rededicated as St. Joseph's Church in 1890.  Again the structure fell into decay, and in 1921 it had to be practically rebuilt. 

Regular services ceased 10 or 20 years later, and local Catholics went to mass in Placerville. On April 30, 1969 the Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento deeded the dilapidated structure to the State of California as a gift.  In 1972 the State Park and the community working in partnership under-took a restoration of the building.  The Bekeart family of San Francisco, descendants of Jules Francois Bekeart who built the gunsmith shop in the town below, provided leadership in this effort.  Statues and Stations of the Cross dating from the mid-19^thcentury were acquired, pews polished, and the altar furnished.  The free-standing bell tower was restored and carries the original bell that the parish had cast in Sheffield England in 1860.The cross on the roof of the church appears to be of an Austrian design.

Picnic Site Packages

The park has three group picnic sites that can be reserved for an outdoor reception or event.

Group Picnic Sites
North Beach: $100. This site seats 120 people. This site has no river access and no view of the river.
Beer Garden: $75. This site seats 75 people.
Marshall Monument: $100. This site seats 120 people.
There is also a refundable $100 cleaning/damage deposit. This fee will be refunded after your event as long has nothing has been damaged and no excessive cleaning is required. Vehicle Day Use Fees are required when reserving a picnic site. You can purchase parking passes through the special events coordinator prior to your event. Day use passes issued with a church rental are good for the entire day of the church event.
 
For more information or to receive a Picnic Packet, please contact the park Special Event Coordinator at 530-295-2174 or Jerrie.Beard@parks.ca.gov, or download the Picnic Packet.