2024 Newsletter
2024 was nothing short of transformative for us. Through partnership with First Church Berkeley’s board and congregation, we worked to reimagine our strategy and embraced a new vision for Friends: supporting the church’s architectural preservation.
This renewed focus inspired us to host a diverse range of events, an effort made easier thanks to the building’s immense beauty and unique design. We’ve intentionally partnered with groups aligned with our mission—those passionate about the arts, architecture, spiritual growth, and historic preservation.
The result? A thriving events calendar that doubled in 2024, creating unforgettable community experiences while generating essential funds for preservation. None of this growth would have been possible without the dedication and vision of Lynn Bohannon, whose leadership helped us achieve a milestone we haven’t seen since before the pandemic. Her energy along with our renewed purpose has truly revitalized the ways the community experiences our space, and we’re eager to carry this momentum into 2025!
To learn more about above mentioned new events and performances, click the links or see info below:
Berkeley Early Music Festival performances by:
Laudami Ensemble
Amor a la Francesca - vocal polyphony from the 15th century
https://www.berkeleyfestival.org/2024-fringe-calendarKPFA Berkeley 75th Anniversary with Amy Goodman + Democracy Now
Berkeley School of Theology 2024 Graduation
Keynote speaker: Ambassador Andrew YoungAmerican Guild of Organists Convention
2 concerts by Joey FalaFirst Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley Annual Christmas Concert
A New Website for Friends
We’d like to introduce you to our new digital presence! The reimagined Friends Website now allows you to stay up to date through a current schedule of events and performances, and even includes a new “Explore” page with access to articles and essays on Maybeck and the church. Overall, we’re thrilled to provide a better online experience for the community to interact with us. The site was designed by Robin Marquand with Lynn Bohannon’s creative guidance, and was generously funded by an anonymous donor. Don’t hesitate to check out our site at friendsoffirstchurch.org to stay up to date with all things Friends.
A New Piano
Our church is now home to a beautifully restored 1941 Steinway Studio M Grand Piano, expertly refurbished by John Callahan and earning rave reviews from master pianists like Jeffrey LaDeur and Peter Grūnberg. Paired with our magnificent organs and a harpsichord, these instruments elevate our space into a premier venue for chamber music. As a result, more esteemed music groups are booking performances at the church, drawn by the exceptional acoustics and quality of these instruments. This incredible transformation is all thanks to the generosity of Rev. Nancy E. Hall and Mark Theodoropoulos, with critical support from our Musical Director, William Ludtke.
A Beautiful New Sound System
Our previous sound system in the Main Auditorium was reminiscent of a high school gym sound system from the 70’s — which is when it was installed. We’re grateful to have a brand new system with outstanding quality, which was much needed to support new programs. The new system includes a new auditorium speaker, new mics at the organ, and soloist for better conference call quality. This important transformation was not possible without Robert Skye, our Acoustic Consultant. We invite you to experience it by attending one of our upcoming events!
Current Priorities
As we open our doors to new groups, we've identified some crucial life safety updates we've been eager to tackle, including emergency lighting, illuminated exit signs, and other fire safety measures. Creating a safer experience for our visitors has taken top priority, leading us to temporarily pause the Favrot Capital Campaign Feasibility Study for window restoration.
Rest assured, we remain fully committed to the restoration work and deeply value the generosity of our donors. If priorities have shifted for you as well, we’re happy to offer refunds for last year’s donations upon request. While these safety concerns have reshaped our focus for now, our dedication to the building’s continued restoration, including its beautiful windows, remains steadfast. Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate these essential improvements!
We’re filled with excitement for 2025 as we build on the momentum of welcoming new parts of our community into the church. Seeing the wonder and joy on visitors' faces when they step into Maybeck's auditorium is a powerful reminder of what a truly extraordinary and cherished space this is. These connections — and the events they inspire — not only bring our community closer but also help fund the preservation of this remarkable building, ensuring it remains a source of beauty and inspiration for generations to come.