Looking for an event venue near Hallandale Beach for a church anniversary banquet or a memorial reception? The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale, at 4849 N. Dixie Highway in Oakland Park, is about 23 minutes north via I-95. Its Main Auditorium seats 275 for a service or program and 110 for a seated dinner, with on-site parking for up to 150 vehicles.
At a glance
- From Hallandale Beach: about 16.9 miles, roughly 23 minutes in typical traffic via Hallandale Beach Boulevard, I-95 north and East Commercial Boulevard.
- Main Auditorium: 2,944 sq ft; up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner.
- Welcome Lobby: 1,418 sq ft; up to 200 cocktail-style, with couches and club chairs for older guests.
- Multipurpose Room: 1,026 sq ft; up to 70 cocktail-style or 50 auditorium-style for a smaller gathering.
- Included: tables, basic linens and place settings for 200 with the auditorium; kitchen access at no additional charge.
- Streaming and Wi-Fi: sound and video booth with projection and streaming; password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi.
- To book: call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868.
Why Hallandale Beach congregations and families look to Oakland Park
Hallandale Beach has deep roots for a city of its size. Its heritage sites list includes Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1909; St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, founded in 1914 by families from the Bahamas; and Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002. The same list includes the Historic Hallandale Schoolhouse, built in 1910 and the oldest building in Broward County known to have been built as a school.
Congregations with that kind of history mark their milestones in a big way: anniversary banquets, pastoral appreciation dinners, homecoming weekends and heritage programs. Those events often draw members who have moved away, and the guest list can outgrow a fellowship hall quickly.
Hallandale Beach is also one of the older cities in the county. In the 2020 census, the median age was 46.9 and nearly a quarter of residents were 65 or older. That means many families are planning memorial receptions and celebrations of life, often on short notice, and they need a room that is calm, comfortable and close enough for elderly relatives to manage.
A city that gathers to remember
Remembrance is part of the civic calendar here. The city’s special events include a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Peace Walk from OB Johnson Park to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Dream Plaza, a Juneteenth Freedom Festival at Dr. MLK Jr Park, and a Memorial Day ceremony. Named for Luther Halland and home to Gulfstream Park, the city has long been a favorite of Canadian visitors too, earning the nickname “Canada’s southernmost city.”
How far is it from Hallandale Beach?
From the center of Hallandale Beach, the venue is about 16.9 driving miles away, roughly 23 minutes in typical conditions. The route is mostly interstate: a short run on Southwest 2nd Avenue and West Hallandale Beach Boulevard (SR 858) to I-95, about 13.5 miles north on I-95, then east on East Commercial Boulevard (SR 870) toward North Dixie Highway.
Those times are typical estimates from the middle of the city, not traffic-adjusted. Guests coming from the Golden Isles or the beach side will need a few extra minutes to reach I-95, and weekday afternoons can run slower. For a memorial, it helps to give out-of-town family a suggested departure time along with the address.
Parking and arrival for guests from Hallandale Beach
On-site parking holds up to 150 vehicles, so a church bus, a few carpools and every family car can all fit at the building. Older guests walk into the Welcome Lobby, where two blue linen couches and two club chairs give them a place to sit right away while everyone else arrives.
Church anniversary banquets and heritage programs
A church anniversary usually has two halves: a program and a meal. The Main Auditorium handles both. Set it auditorium-style for up to 275 for a worship program, a choir, guest speakers and a history presentation, or set it banquet-style for 110 at thirteen 60-inch round tables for the anniversary dinner.
The lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style, which leaves room for a history display, photos of past pastors and a welcome table at the Guest Services desk. The sound and video booth can project a slideshow of the congregation’s story and stream the program for members who now live in other states. The booth is staffed by the Center’s team at additional cost.
The same setup suits other heritage events: a pastoral appreciation banquet, a scholarship dinner timed to MLK weekend, or a Juneteenth program with music and readings.
View the banquet and reception rooms
Memorial receptions and celebrations of life
End-of-life celebrations are one of the event types the venue welcomes, and the building fits the way most families want to remember someone. A memorial program can take place in the auditorium, with music, a slideshow and time for friends to share stories. Afterward, guests move to the lobby or sit down to a meal while the family greets everyone.
For a smaller gathering, the Multipurpose Room seats 50 auditorium-style or holds 70 standing, which feels full and warm rather than echoing. Families of every faith and background are welcome, and the service does not need to be religious.
Including family who can’t travel
When relatives live up north, in Canada or overseas, a live stream from the auditorium lets them watch the service as it happens. The presidential teleprompter can also help a grieving speaker get through a eulogy.
Hallandale Beach condo associations can use the same 275-seat room for annual meetings, with projection and sound handled from the booth.
Which room fits your guest count?
All capacities below come from the venue’s rental page.
| Room | Size | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Auditorium | 2,944 sq ft | 275 auditorium-style; 110 seated dinner | Anniversary programs and banquets, memorial services |
| Welcome Lobby | 1,418 sq ft | 200 cocktail-style | Repast receptions, history displays, greeting lines |
| Multipurpose Room | 1,026 sq ft | 70 cocktail; 50 auditorium; 40 conference | Smaller memorials, family gatherings, committee meetings |
A 200-member anniversary program with dinner for 110 uses the auditorium plus the lobby. A 45-person celebration of life fits the Multipurpose Room. Full details are on the venue rental page.
What’s included: tables, linens, place settings and the kitchen
Church hospitality committees and grieving families both have enough to manage. A Main Auditorium rental includes use of:
- Thirteen 60-inch round tables seating 8 each, with basic linens
- 275 tan banquet chairs
- Rectangular buffet tables in three sizes with basic linens
- Six square card tables and six high-top cocktail tables with black linens or spandex
- Place settings for 200: salad and dinner plates, full dinnerware, basic linen napkins and water glasses
- Kitchen access and password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi
The kitchen has two microwave ovens, a commercial coffee maker, a double-door refrigerator and a commercial reach-in refrigerator with 26 tray holders. Kitchen use carries no additional charge with the Main Auditorium or Multipurpose Room, which matters when church members are bringing covered dishes or a caterer is setting up a repast.
Planning tip: For a repast, ask one person to manage the kitchen and the reach-in refrigerator so the family is not pulled away from guests. The commercial coffee maker can run through the whole reception.
Sound, video, streaming and teleprompter
The professional sound and video booth overlooks the Main Auditorium. It runs projection for photo slideshows and history presentations, live streaming for distant family and members, and a presidential teleprompter for speakers. Password-protected Wi-Fi is complimentary for presenters and guests.
You can see how the Center streams on its livestream page. The booth is staffed by the Center’s team, and equipment and operator fees are quoted on inquiry. To learn about organizations the Center works alongside, visit its community partners page.
Planning checklist for your Hallandale Beach event
- Call Jim Wood at 954-566-2868 to check dates; for a memorial, say so up front.
- Estimate attendance for the program and, separately, for the meal.
- Choose rooms: auditorium for the program, lobby or auditorium for the meal.
- Gather photos, a program order and music, and send them to the tech team.
- Decide on a live stream and share the link with family and members who can’t attend.
- Arrange food with a caterer or hospitality committee and review the kitchen equipment.
- Plan seating for elderly guests near the front and in the lobby.
- Send guests the Oakland Park address, the I-95 route and parking details.
- Walk through policies and timing with the Director of Operations before you confirm.
When to book: MLK Day, Juneteenth and the winter season
Anniversary and heritage events cluster around a few dates. January brings MLK weekend programs, June brings Juneteenth celebrations, and winter is when many seasonal residents are in town and want to attend. Reach out several months ahead if your event is tied to one of those dates.
Memorials don’t wait for a calendar. Call as soon as you can and tell Jim the circumstances; he will walk you through current availability.
Families and congregations from nearby cities use the venue as well. See our notes for event space near Hollywood, Dania Beach and Miramar, or the guide to renting an event venue in Broward County.
Frequently asked questions
How far is the venue from Hallandale Beach?
The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale in Oakland Park is about 16.9 driving miles from the center of Hallandale Beach. In typical traffic that is roughly 23 minutes via West Hallandale Beach Boulevard, I-95 north and East Commercial Boulevard. Traffic can add time.
What is a reception after a funeral called?
It goes by several names. Many Black churches and Southern families call it a repast, others say funeral reception, memorial reception or simply a gathering. At the Oakland Park venue, a repast can be held in the Welcome Lobby for up to 200 standing or in the Main Auditorium for 110 seated.
Where is the best place to host a celebration of life?
The best place is calm, easy for older guests to reach and big enough for everyone who wants to come. Look for parking at the door, seating, a kitchen for food and a way to share photos. The Center for Spiritual Living Fort Lauderdale offers all of these, plus streaming for family who cannot attend.
How many guests can the Center for Spiritual Living hold?
The Main Auditorium seats up to 275 auditorium-style or 110 for a seated dinner. The Multipurpose Room holds 70 cocktail-style, 50 auditorium-style or 40 conference-style, and the Welcome Lobby holds up to 200 cocktail-style.
Are tables, chairs and linens included?
Yes. A Main Auditorium rental includes thirteen 60-inch round tables, buffet, card and cocktail tables, 275 banquet chairs, basic linens and place settings for 200. Kitchen access is included at no additional charge.
Is there Wi-Fi for presenters and guests?
Yes. The venue provides password-protected complimentary Wi-Fi with the Main Auditorium and Multipurpose Room rentals, which is useful for presenters and for guests sharing photos.
How do I get a rental quote and check dates?
Pricing is by inquiry. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868 for availability and a quote, or reach out through the Center’s contact page.
A short visit is the easiest way to know if the room feels right for your congregation or your family. Call Jim Wood, Director of Operations, at 954-566-2868, or contact the Center and he will help you find a time and walk you through the rooms. You can also review every space on our event space rental page.
