Facility Use Guidelines

1. The philosophy underlying policies for building use is that all church facilities shall be used to carry out the basic purposes and mission of the church. The Board of Trustees or Music Board, and Pastor in mutual consultation, shall have authority to determine which events are suitable to be held at First Congregational Church. Council shall be notified of such decisions.
2. Use of any facility shall be done in conformity with city fire and safety ordinances.
3. There shall be no use of alcohol, tobacco, vaping, or non-physician-prescribed drugs in church buildings. No firearms are permitted on the premises.
4. First Congregational Church reserves the right to schedule other activities and events in other parts of the facility on the same date(s) and time(s).
5. While historical programs are encouraged as integral to First Church’s presence in the community, there shall be no ghost tours, seances or paranormal investigations on church property.
6. Whenever the parsonage is being used for pastoral housing, it shall be considered private space and is not available for church or outside events except by the invitation of the pastor.

1. Non-church groups using church facilities must be a not-for-profit organization whose purpose and activities contribute to the welfare of the community. Profit-making enterprises shall not use church facilities except when and as invited by First Congregational Church to participate in community or fundraising events.
2. The objectives of the using group and the activities conducted on church property must not be in conflict with the mission of First Congregational Church.
3. Sponsors or leaders of a group may not charge a fee or receive monetary renumeration for services rendered to the group on church property unless specific exception to this rule has been granted in writing by Church Council or the Board of Trustees. This, however, does not mean that using groups may not have organizational dues or assessments to meet operating expenses.
4. Decorations used must be flameproof and shall not be attached to fixed portions of the facilities without specific approval in writing.
5. The use of candles or open flames is prohibited. Ceremonial use of candles may be permitted on occasion, with specific written approval.
6. Evening events will be concluded and the building closed by 10 p.m., unless special arrangements have been made.
7. User groups will be responsible for leaving the facilities used in such condition that another group may comfortably use them; i.e. furniture and equipment will be replaced in customary positions, kitchen equipment left in clean condition, dishes washed and put away, floors swept, filled waste baskets emptied into the dumpster, etc.
8. The using group shall be held responsible for all loss or damage to church property during periods when they are using the facilities.
9. No equipment or facilities shall be added, modified, moved, or removed without prior written approval.
10. At no time shall equipment or facilities other than those covered by prior approval be used.
11. No one may play the pipe organ without prior approval, which will be limited to trained pipe organists. Our organist has final authority in the decision about who may or may not use the pipe organ, after meeting with the person and acquainting the guest with our organ.
12. The church parking lot may be used during the event, except for the church secretary and custodian spaces (during daytime hours) and the garage door nearest the parsonage (at any time). Additional parking may be available in the bank lot north of the church, outside of banking hours.
13. Someone from the user group must regularly check the downstairs halls and bathrooms to ensure no ‘uninvited guests’ are in the building. Do not block doors open as outsides ‘critters’ will get in.
14. Permission to use church facilities or equipment shall not include liability on the part of the church for property damage or personal injuries resulting from user-group activities.
15. When on-going / regularly scheduled facility use begins, a key deposit of ­$50 will be paid. This sum provides from one to three keys. Any additional keys needed will require an additional deposit of $5 per key. When the group terminates its use of the facilities and all keys it is charged with are returned, all deposits paid for keys will be returned except for a $5 service charge. Any keys which are not returned will be charged at the rate of $5 per key. If the use group fails to secure a return of the key deposit, this deposit shall be transferred as a donation into the church general funds at the end of six months.

The fee schedule for facility use shall be as follows:

Use of Sanctuary                                                       $20

Use of Fellowship Hall (3-hour minimum) $ Currently Not Available

Use of Kitchen                                                            $ Currently Not Available

Use of classroom(s)                                                 $ 20 per room

Parlor                                                                               $ 25

Services of authorized person for set up   $   TBD      (labor to be provided by user group)

Custodian                                                                      $ 15 / hour

1. The separate fee schedule for weddings is found in the Wedding guidelines. Please contact the Church Office for a copy.
2. The usage fee is due 7 days before the event.
3. Any damages to equipment or facilities will be billed as appropriate.

1. Regularly scheduled church meetings shall have first priority in building use. Other church-related meetings and events shall have second priority.
2. Outside not-for-profit groups and organizations shall be eligible for building use when facilities are not being used in church activities and when the purpose of use is approved by the pastor and the Board of Trustees.
3. Scheduling for private events will prioritize church members over non-church members.
4. Requests to use church facilities shall be made at least 30 days prior to the event. Consideration may be given to requests made less than 30 days in advance, but any such approval shall not be interpreted as a future or continuing waiver of this provision

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