Unfinished Church

"For a brief time in the late 19th century, townspeople wanted something new and shiny—they wanted to replace the then-dilapidated St. Peter’s Church. The town began to erect a new church, but squabbles over money, plus a healthy dose of local drama, led the project stall out after the roof was erected in 1897. (The roof blew off in a freak storm roughly 30 years later.) Now, the Unfinished Church looks like the picturesque ruin of a house of worship—and not one that was simply never finished—with arches of limestone bricks and a carpeting of scratchy Bermuda grass. Parts of the church are currently closed due to safety concerns, but you can get a sense of its ghostly atmosphere even from the outside." - Katherine Cusumano

"So, what's the story behind this place? By 1869, Bermuda’s oldest church—the esteemed St. Peter’s, which was established in the Town of St. George’s in 1612—had fallen into disrepair. So soon enough, its parishioners came up with a plan: A new cathedral would be built on the outskirts of town, what would be a grand stone structure to house the centuries-old artifacts and displaced congregants. William Hay, who helped design the soaring Bermuda Cathedral in 1848, was tapped to lead the charge. Construction began in 1874, and then it abruptly stopped, thanks to squabbles and a lack of funds. What resulted is the the aptly named Unfinished Church, an airy roofless structure known locally as "The Folly of St. George’s.” What's the vibe, then? It’s no surprise that the Unfinished Church is one of Bermuda’s most popular venues for destination weddings. The place is absolutely dreamy. Grass grows beneath your feet and fresh air pours through open stone archways that were once meant to hold stained glass windows. Look up and you’ll see puffy white clouds drift across the blue sky while thick shafts of sunlight illuminate what should have been the nave. Who comes here? Hardcore history buffs and, yes, Bermuda-based wedding planners and brides-to-be. Does it live up to the hype? The Unfinished Church is a stunning stone structure that's unlike any other in Bermuda. If you’re a pair of honeymooners who’ve tied the knot elsewhere and want some très chic snapshots, the backdrop here cannot be beat. Anything else we should know before planning a visit? You’ve come here to see the bones of an old church and not much else. Pair the Unfinished Church with other attractions in St. George’s—it won’t take too long to take in the whole place. Note that the church interior is not open to casual visitors—the gates are locked except for private events." - David LaHuta

"For a brief time in the late 19th century, townspeople wanted something new and shiny—they wanted to replace the then-dilapidated St. Peter’s Church . Construction on Bermuda's oldest church began in 1874, and then it abruptly stopped, thanks to squabbles and a lack of funds. What resulted is the the aptly named Unfinished Church, an airy roofless structure known locally as “The Folly of St. George’s.” With its grassy surrounds and open stone archways, it also happens to be one of the most popular destination wedding venues in Bermuda; expect to see wedding planners and brides-to-be. Note that the church interior is not open to casual visitors—the gates are locked except for private events." - David LaHuta