Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena

The Ambassador Auditorium, often referred to as the "Carnegie Hall of the West," holds a prestigious place in Pasadena's cultural landscape. Situated on the historic campus of the former Ambassador College, this elegant venue has been a hub for performing arts since its inception. It opened its doors in 1974, inaugurated by a performance from the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Designed under the guidance of Herbert W. Armstrong and primarily used by the Worldwide Church of God, the auditorium served dual purposes as both a church and a cultural venue.

The main hall of the Ambassador Auditorium has witnessed performances by luminaries such as Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, and Yo-Yo Ma, contributing to its esteemed reputation. Over two decades, it hosted more than 2,500 concerts attended by approximately 2.5 million people, before the concert series was discontinued in 1995 due to financial constraints.

The venue encompasses a 1,224-seat theater and seven additional event spaces, along with an outdoor plaza adorned with a bronze sculpture and water fountain. These facilities cater to a variety of events, including corporate gatherings, lectures, and community functions, offering flexibility, excellent acoustics, and timeless elegance.

In 2004, Harvest Rock Church and Maranatha High School acquired the property, leading to the revitalization of the Ambassador Auditorium, which still hosts local cultural events and church services. Between 2010 and 2019, the campus underwent extensive redevelopment, replacing many original structures with residential units. Despite these modifications, the Ambassador Auditorium continues to be a treasured landmark and a hub of artistic and community activity in Pasadena.