A space of grace for the arts
The space is intimate and welcoming. The acoustics are warm and clear. The equipment is professional-grade. We’ve worked hard at making our sanctuary a space where the community can come and present or explore what matters most to people. We had musical performances, benefit concerts, workshops, community consultations, and meetings of all kinds here. Get in touch with us and find out how our space can serve you.
Rental Pricing
You can download the current rental pricing here.
We welcome inquiries about the use of this space for your next event. Please contact our minister Brian Fraser at .
The Sanctuary in Brentwood at rest.
A very special Jazz Evensong on Nov 2, 2016, featured our own musicians, Dan Reynolds and Marcos Flo, with Adam Comier and Sarah Kennedy.
The Poulanc Trio plays the first concert in Brentwood Concert Series for 2016-2017.
Terry Beech’s Constituency Office hosts a community forum on electoral reform at the Sanctuary in Brentwood.
The Sancutary in Brentwood in action with the Cory Weeds Quartet featuring Harold Mabern.
Summer Soul Workshop in July 2015 with Marcus Mosley, Darlene Ketchum, and Bill Sample.
Bill Sample at the Sanctuary’s Pramberger PS-175, with Marcus Mosley and Darlene Ketchum, leading the workshop.
The Sanctuary can accommodate up to 50 people in this workshop/cabaret setup.
Testimonials for the Sanctuary in Brentwood
Dylan Cramer (saxophonist and teacher)
“Playing at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church was a unique experience. Both Ron Johnston and I felt extremely peaceful and comfortable from the moment we stepped into the church. There was a wonderful vibe inside and the sound of our saxophone and piano was really warm and intimate. We are looking forward to our next concert there!”
Kai Basanta (drummer with Nomad)
“Brentwood Presbyterian church is a wonderful space to create in. The acoustics are warm and the space has beautiful natural reverb. It was a pleasure for Nomad to do a live recording of our performance there.”
Denis Nokony (Assistant Director Cultural Services, City of Burnaby)
“It is a very attractive space, well suited to performances and presentations, and destined to become even better equipped to so do with your proposed plans for upgrades and renovations. I foresee the community of Brentwood growing significantly in the years ahead, and demands for proximate, well-appointed and affordable spaces for creative celebration will no doubt increase. I am happy to offer an endorsement for your initiatives in improving the Sanctuary in Brentwood for local and community arts and culture use into the future.”
Cory Weeds (jazz impresario and saxophonist)
“I have performed at and listened to performances in the Sanctuary in Brentwood. I have found it to be very acoustically pleasing on both sides. Having the church become a community arts venue would be an invaluable addition to the City of Burnaby and I am 100% behind it.”
Roy Salmond (producer, engineer, composer, owner of Whitewater Productions)
“A wonderful, small, and intimate space for hearing live music – hard to find these days. The high ceiling provides room for grace notes and graceful conversations. It is small enough to be intimate, yet big enough for an event. The Sanctuary in Brentwood offers the community a place to retreat and engage with musical excellence.”
Dan Reynolds (Brentwood’s Director of Music and winner of the Oscar Peterson Prize in McGill University’s jazz program)
“I really enjoy performing in the Sanctuary in Brentwood. I’ve always found the sound in the room to be inviting and conducive to presenting music. The piano is a beautiful instrument with a very clear, natural, and balanced sound.”
Jodi Proznick (Head of the Jazz Department at the VSO School of Music)
“The space is acoustically beautiful. I could hear every note I played so clearly.”
Adam Thomas (jazz vocalist, bassist, and sound designer)
“The people at Brentwood are lovely and they host in a warm sounding room with a very nice piano – all capped off with graciously and intently listening ears.”
Deborah Ledon (singer, song-writer, performance coach, and mentor)
“The space, although very simple in structure, has the most gorgeous acoustics my musicians and I have ever experienced. The music was clear and full without being overwhelming or causing any discomfort to those attending. As a bonus, the audience was supportive and extremely demonstrative of their enjoyment, which left my group walking on air with joy. I would strongly recommend this gem as a permanent performance space capable of handling dance, music, and theatre. In short, to not put this lovely space to better use as an arts venue would be a shame and a loss for both audience and artist.”
Richard Lee (Member of the Legislative Assembly for Burnaby North)
“Musicians, actors, poets, writers, puppeteers, and other artists have indicated that they would value a 100-seat venue available at a reasonable price with ample parking in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Burnaby. Brentwood Presbyterian Church has just such a venue and is seeking to upgrade the space to be suitable for this kind of community activity and service. In addition to arts events, the space would be available to community groups for meetings, workshops, lectures, etc. I am in full support of this long-established community organization moving in this new direction.”
Beth Agosti (multi-disciplinary artist)
“I’m very excited about the possibilities that the Sanctuary in Brentwood as a community arts venue open up for artists like myself. I’m a puppeteer, performer, manager, and teacher based in North Burnaby. The intimacy, acoustics, flexibility, and location of the space make it an attractive place to offer shows and events. I’m currently thinking of a puppet show based on Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘Snowdrop’ and a series of workshops leading to a Handmade Parade. But that’s only the beginning.”
James Danderfer (jazz musician, composer, and teacher)
“The Sanctuary in Brentwood is a joy to make music in. The size of the room and the beautiful wooden ceiling make for a clear, resonant acoustic situation where every note can be heard without amplification. Every time I perform at Brentwood I can feel the nature of the environment sets everyone’s mind at ease. Simply inspiring.”
Chris Gestrin (composer, producer, and jazz musician)
“I have performed at Brentwood Presbyterian Church several times over the past couple of years as part of their Wednesday night Jazz Evensong series. It is a wonderful acoustic space with a good ‘vibe’ and I look forward to the idea of it being used more frequently as a multi-disciplinary artistic venue. Most of my work these days is spent in the studio producing music for album releases and film. I look forward to using the Sanctuary in Brentwood as a remote recording location to take advantage of the acoustical properties that only a nice large room like that can achieve.”
Sandra-Mae Luykx (jazz vocalist, composer, and saxophonist)
“It was an absolute pleasure to perform at Brentwood Presbyterian Church; the room sounded wonderful and I was able to hear myself very clearly. The energy of the room set me completely at ease and I was able to perform surrounded by good vibes. Recording in the room would sound phenomenal. I look forward to hearing the great music that will come out of such a great sounding room.”
Sky Lambourne (jazz trumpeter and vocalist in the Rossi Gang)
“The acoustics and atmosphere at the Brentwood Presbyterian church were ideal for recording our new album, Live At Church. As a horn player, the vaulted ceiling and open space felt much better to play in than your standard studio and gave our album a natural reverb that is hard to find.”
Eli Bennett (jazz saxophonist and film composer)
“The Sanctuary in Brentwood (the concert space at Brentwood Presbyterian Church) is a hidden cultural gem of North Burnaby. The great acoustics make it a perfect venue for the Jazz Evensong series, a concert series that features world-class Canadian jazz musicians in various formats such as duos, trios, and quartets. Boasting a warm and community-friendly atmosphere, the Sanctuary is a great place to catch a concert where the audience can connect with the performing musicians on a musical and personal level.”
Joseph Abbott (jazz clarinetist)
“The church has been blessed with a set of outstanding acoustic characteristics that, for whatever reason, are unmatched by any similar halls or small venues that I’ve played in as well as any studios that I’ve worked in. It is particularly good for acoustic music with the resonance to support an unamplified voice.”
Christopher Fraser (jazz guitarist and teacher)
“Performing in the Sanctuary in Brentwood is always a pleasure. As a relatively open space, notes are carried and empowered, yet it is still warm and intimate enough that one does not experience any of the echoing or decay of tone typical of large rooms.”
Jennifer Scott (musician and vocalist)
“A warm lovely space with terrific acoustics, a great piano to play, and the good vibes that surround you are three great reasons why I enjoy playing music at the Sanctuary in Brentwood! I see this space as a wonderful concert venue where Vancouver area audiences will truly enjoy listening to music.”
Glen Soderholm (singer and songwriter)
“I had the privilege of performing a solo concert at the Sanctuary in Brentwood very recently. The inviting atmosphere, superb acoustics, and intimate space made it a splendid evening indeed. I was also impressed with the enthusiasm and vision expressed by the stakeholders for all the possibilities that this space holds. I recommend it highly.”
Brock Tully (speaker from the heart, author, and Kindness Concert promoter)
“I just organized a Kindness Concert at the Sanctuary in Brentwood and I could not have been happier. The 100 seat venue with soft comfortable seats was perfect for an intimate gathering. With the raised stage, excellent lighting, and awesome sound, every seat had a great view & wonderful listening experience. An great extra bonus was the grand piano! The venue had all the extras like a big green room, easy access backstage to bathrooms for the performers, convenient bathrooms for the attendees at the entrance, and a big parking lot.
And even though the venue was perfect, much more importantly, we felt welcomed, appreciated, and loved!”
Nathen Aswell (keynote speaker & recording artist)
“I recently had the good fortune of being one of the performers in a concert which took place at the Sanctuary in Brentwood in Burnaby, BC. What a sweet space! The BIG stage and warm sounding room make it a joy for performers, and the comfortable seating (for 100 people) and GREAT sight lines make it a treat for the audience. If you’re looking for a venue for your next special event, I encourage you to give the Sanctuary in Brentwood serious consideration!”
Marcus Mosley (singer and choral director)
“The Sanctuary in Brentwood is one of Vancouver’s best kept secrets … that needs to be ‘leaked.’ Brian Fraser, a lover of jazz and all things musical, and the people he works with at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, have created a wonderful new space that is well equipped for concerts or meetings. The space is intimate, accessible, and very inviting.”
David Sinclair (musician)
“The Sanctuary in Brentwood is a great place for a small intimate concert. It has a nice natural ambience, good size elevated stage area, comfy seating with good sight lines. This is a welcome addition to the local arts community.”
Darlene Ketchum (singer, choral director, and music educator)
“I have done concerts at the Sanctuary in Brentwood and co-led a soloing workshop there. I found it to be a warm and inviting intimate concert space with wonderful acoustics. I performed there with both small and large bands and the room and stage worked very well for both. The staff are very accommodating with a desire to create a great venue to hear quality live music. The Marcus Mosely Chorale used the Sanctuary for a soloist workshop. It proved to be a great space for instruction as there was a warm vibe in the atmosphere of the room and a lovely grand piano to work with. In addition, we were able to move the ‘comfy’ chairs around to create just the right ambiance for our purposes.”
Bill Sample (producer, composer, arranger, and pianist)
“Recently, I had the great pleasure to play a concert at the Sanctuary in Brentwood with Darlene Ketchum for her CD release. The room sound was warm and had great clarity. The piano (important to me) was well tuned and had a precise action and a somewhat mellow yet bright sound. I would recommend this room to anyone performing at acoustic levels or just above, as it’s a pretty small room.”
Sandy Foster (singer, songwriter, and educator)
“What a privilege to perform at The Sanctuary! Brentwood Presbyterian’s heart for the arts and community is so evident. I was welcomed with great warmth and support. The acoustics and ambiance were great. I can’t wait to come back here again!”
Joani Bye (singer and arranger)
“I had the great pleasure of performing at the Sanctuary in Brentwood on the weekend. We were greeted with warmth by the very helpful staff and sang for an appreciative crowd. The room is equipped with a good sound system, although the acoustics are such that you could likely sing without using it and reach everyone in the room. It was a very enjoyable experience all round!”
Will Sanders (The Sojourners)
“I think the Sanctuary in Brentwood is a great space for concerts and special events. Its intimate (seats about 100 or so) and warm. There is a brand new sound system with a very good tech on duty, a beautiful grand piano, and drums and congas. The acoustics are very good, perfect for unplugged performances. They also have good kitchen facilities to accommodate food service and an open bar for wine and beer (with proper licence and permits). Rev Fraser and his staff are very warm, friendly and accommodating. I really enjoyed singing there and I’m looking forward to performing there again.”
Richard Winn (jazz fan)
“It was an absolute pleasure to be at the Sanctuary in Brentwood last evening to see Harold Mabern with Cory Weeds, Adam Thomas, and Julian McDonough. Great music as always, seating was comfortable, sound system was fantastic, good ambiance throughout and the mood of the audience was wonderful to hear. A standing ovation in a church can’t be bad for the soul can it? The Sanctuary is a winner.”
Gerry Teichrob (bass player in Quintessential Jazz)
“Quintessential Jazz Band recently played at Brentwood Presbyterian for Jazz Evensong. We found the space to be a wonderful place to play. The acoustics are stellar – warm and pleasingly lacking echo. It is an intimate and inspiring environment for sharing music.”
Holly Burke (www.hollyburke.com)
“We so enjoyed the fullness of sound the staff at the Sanctuary in Brentwood were able to create for us. Our group felt most welcome and comfortable in that beautiful, lofty space. Many thanks to all involved.”
Adele M Wilding (jazz vocalist & composer)
“I have been fortunate enough to have performed AND recorded in the Sanctuary in Brentwood. As a vocalist, one can simply focus on performing. The excellent acoustic allows one’s voice to soar freely.”
Joanna Dundas (artistic manager of musica intima)
“The Sanctuary in Brentwood is a warm, bright and inviting space. We really appreciated the intimate setting, and enjoyed the ease with which the room is filled with sound!”
George Zukerman, OC, OBC (classical music impresario)
“The little church is an ideal ambiance for small ensembles – warm, wood-paneled, intimate. Those of us who attended felt as if we were sharing a living room with the artists, who treated the entire audience as if we were happily welcomed guests in their musical home.”
Marcel and Elizabeth Bergmann (internationally acclaimed piano duo)
“We very much enjoyed performing the inaugural concert at the Brentwood Concert Series. The performance space was ideal for chamber music and for two pianos. The intimate and warm setting provides for an inspiring atmosphere with great acoustics for both the performers and the audience.”
The Borealis String Quartet (internationally acclaimed string ensemble)
“A beautiful, warm, and intimate space! It was an inspiration to perform for this enthusiastic audience in such a wonderful ambient acoustic. It is already one of our favourite concert venues!”
The Canadian Guitar Quartet (internationally acclaimed guitar quartet)
“Classical music needs venues like the Sanctuary in Brentwood at Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Its size is perfect for acoustic instruments which can fill the room with ease. There is no bad seat in this room. You will enjoy a very nice experience whether you are seated in the front or at the back. Contact with the audience is very natural for the musicians and the listeners can also feel involved in the performance. The Canadian Guitar Quartet has really enjoyed this hall!”
Kai Gleusteen (principal violinist at Barcelona Opera Orchestra)
“The Brentwood Presbyterian Church is ideal for chamber music at its best! For the audience, it is intimate enough to have a direct, close contact with the performers. For the performers, it is a large enough volume with resonant walls to make you feel good about the sound you are producing, to inspire you to explore even more colours, instead of being worried about having to project. The acoustic is excellent and the atmosphere very pleasant.”
Ken Burke (sound engineer & producer)
“I had the pleasure of recording a jazz ensemble at the Sanctuary. It had everything I wanted for the session. Great acoustics, a piano, drum set, and, most importantly, good people. We had a great session. I recommend recording there.”
Lowry Olafson (singer/songwriter)
“As a singer songwriter, my goal is to be able to connect with the audience – to touch their hearts, tap their toes, get them thinking and even singing so we all leave feeling like we’ve had a magical experience together.
The venue is a huge part of making that happen – you want great acoustics, a high-quality PA, and a room that feels intimate and light at the same time. Look no further. The Sanctuary at Brentwood Presbyterian has it all. Plus they have a grand piano, drums – it’s all set up and ready to go.
And they make it a breeze to do a self-presents concert – they’re all set up with an online tickets company to sell advance tickets, and even provide wine at the intermission so you don’t have to even think about that.
Plus Brian Fraser, the man who organizes it all, is beyond helpful, and bends over backwards to make it a fantastic all round experience, from initial planning ‘til the applause dies down. Thank you, Brentwood! Can’t wait ‘til my next show.”
Dee Daniels (vocalist/pianist)
“I recently had an opportunity to perform at a fundraising event held at the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Not knowing in advance what to expect regarding the layout, acoustics, or ambiance of the space, I’m happy to report that I was delighted with my experience there. In addition to the comfort of the space itself, I was made to feel welcomed as an artist. All of my performance requirements were addressed in a most professional way.”