FIRST CHURCH FACILITIES USE POLICY
First Church of Christ, Congregational in East Haddam welcomes members of the community to use its facilities. Weddings, funerals and baptisms must be arranged directly with our Pastor. All other requests should be submitted to the Board of Trustees through a Facility Use Application Form or a Parking Policy and Application Form, as appropriate. A copy of a Certificate of Insurance, where applicable, should be submitted with the application form. The signed application is also an agreement to abide by the following rules for use of our building and grounds. A signed Release and Indemnification Form must also be submitted.
FEES: The following fees apply for a single use of the sanctuary or other meeting space by non-members. The Board of Trustees may negotiate other terms with individuals or organizations interested in weekly or monthly meeting space. Nonprofit organizations may request a fee be waived, but a donation would be appreciated to help offset the church’s utility, heating and general maintenance costs. A $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve the sanctuary for a wedding, with the balance due 30 days prior to the wedding date. Please specify the room on your application. In case of a conflict, another like-size room may be assigned.
Sanctuary $300
Sanctuary for weddings, non-members $500
($250 deposit required to book, balance due at wedding rehearsal)
Wedding fee includes rehearsal and use of organ. Fees for Officiant, Musicians including Organist, and required Wedding Facilitator are NOT included and must be arranged directly with those service providers separately.
Meeting Rooms
Small: Classrooms $50
Medium: New Parlor, Old Parlor & Music Room $75
Large: Parish Hall and Lower Hall $100
–either Hall with use of adjacent kitchen facilities $200
Parking for off premise event
Per vehicle $2
RESPONSIBILITIES OF USER: Make sure meeting space is left the way it was found, with chairs and tables returned to their original position or to storage. Tables should be wiped clean and floors swept, if necessary. Brooms and cleaning supplies can be found in the kitchen. Lights and any small appliances used, such as coffee pots, should be switched off and/or unplugged. If using kitchen facilities, please remove any trash you create. If this is not possible, empty all trash bins into the large barrel, remove and secure the trash bag and store it in the utility room opposite the foot of the stairs to the basement. Make sure ALL doors are locked and secured when you leave. Please note: Any serving of alcoholic beverages requires prior written approval of the Board of Trustees.
Revised by the Board of Trustees, October 14, 2014