The mosaic splendors of this church are amazing especially when you consider when it was built and the organ is huge and special. Do not miss an opportunity to take the docent tours if available to appreciate the workmanship of this memorial church....

Given all the modern Department and Graduate School structures erected since and the heights reached by Stanford, it is astonishing that it dates only from 1895 in memory of the oldest son of Governor and Mrs. Leland Stanford and this sandstone quadrangle is the original building. Memorial Church is the decorative crown to the secular functional classes and offices of the quad. The church harks back to earlier European models with stained glass, high decorated wood beamed ceilings and gilded, almost Byzantine, decoration everywhere. It is accurately prophetic of the world class peaks aspired when the Stanfords donated their "Farm" I was a grad student at Stanford in the late '60's and early '70's, never visited "Mem Chu" for religious worship but could always appreciate what the founders tried to say by building it.

We attended mass on Sunday afternoon and then returned the next day so see stained glass during the day. Spectacular church steeped in history. Incredible organ, wood, and stained glass. A must see if you're in Palo Alto as is the campus in general.

I used to attend services here when I was a grad student here in the 80s. Went back recently & couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. It had somehow faded in my memory. A truly special & sacred space -- no particular religious affiliation required to feel awed & uplifted.