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The church space is shown by appointment.

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Spaces on the Upper Level

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Sanctuary and Parlor*

  • Sanctuary seats 192; Parlor seats 22

  • Hourly rate: $125

  • Non-profit hourly rate+: $75

  • FCB Members**: No fee for use for personal events.

  • Piano may be rented with permission of the music director. Rental fee: $100.

  • Food and drinks are not permitted in the Sanctuary and Parlor.

  • The Sanctuary does not have air-conditioning.

 

Parish Hall; includes use of Kitchen

  • Seats 220 in rows facing stage; approximately 125 at banquet tables

  • Hourly rate: $200

  • Non-profit hourly rate: $125

  • FCB Members hourly rate, for personal events: $100

  • The Parish Hall is generally unavailable mid-October through Thanksgiving, when it is used for the annual children's musical.

 

Parish Hall Details

  • The Parish Hall has air-conditioning.

  • The church owns 20 6’ rectangular folding tables that can be used to seat up to 150 people.

    • Renters may need to rent additional tables and chairs from an outside vendor (see below).

  • Maximum capacity seated in rows of chairs, facing the stage: 220 (we have 150 chairs; extras need to be rented; see below)

  • Maximum standing-only capacity: 309

  • Since the Parish Hall has many rentals and is also frequently used by the church, setup and decoration should be planned for the same day of the event and should be discussed with the Congregational Administrator.

 

Food and Beverages

Food and alcohol service is regulated by the Town of Belmont.

  • Caterers need a permit from the town.

  • Alcohol service requires a permit from the town and proof of insurance, naming the church as “additional insured.”

  • Renters are required to apply for permits from the town at least 30 days in advance of their event.

  • Takeout food prepared off-site such as pizza does not require a catering permit.

  • The church has a large standing freezer and refrigerator in the kitchen that may be used.

  • Please note, the church is not able to provide table linens, dish towels, dishes, glassware, cutlery, or equipment such as coffee makers.

  • The church does not have an ice-making machine.

  • The church does not own a commercial dishwasher.

  • The kitchen is not suitable for preparing food for more than 10 people.

 

Available Parish Hall Audio and Video

  • Two hand-held wireless microphones

  • Speakers with auxiliary input (plug in an iPod or other device with a headphone jack)

  • Overhead projector and screen (system works with a DVD, flash drive, or laptop)

  • Parish Hall piano may be rented with permission of the music director. Rental fee: $100.

  • The church has an open guest WiFi network.

  • Church staff can demonstrate A/V use but is not able to provide tech support such as setting up equipment or recording/streaming events.

 

Small Meeting Spaces - Lower Level

Library

Seats 30 theater-style in rows; has video screen

  • Standard rate: $50

  • Non-profit rate: $25

  • FCB Members: $10

 

Classrooms (seat 10-15; classroom space is limited)

  • Standard rate: $25

  • Non-profit rate: $15

  • FCB Members: $10

 

Parking

 

The church has a small lot: 24 spaces plus 2 reserved handicapped spaces. The parking lot is “reserved” only for weddings and memorial services.

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The church has an outdoor bicycle rack and is very near commuter rail and bus routes.

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We recommend that attendees/guests park in the municipal lot on Claflin Street, about a 5 minute walk away, or use street parking on Concord Avenue.

 

*FCB Members refers to members of record of The First Church in Belmont, who are planning a private event for family or friends. The event cannot include fundraising or the sale of tickets, cannot produce income for the member or others, and cannot be affiliated with or on behalf of any organization, either for-profit or non-profit. FCB members pay standard Sexton/Custodial fees, including for use of the Sanctuary, if the Church determines that custodial services are required.**

 

+Nonprofit refers to organizations with a 501c3 tax id number, which must be provided on the rental application.

 

Local vendors familiar with the Parish Hall

 

  • Via Lago Catering, Lexington

  • Forklift Catering, Somerville

  • Vickie Lee’s Catering, Belmont

  • Taylor Rental, in Arlington, has folding tables, dinnerware, linens, and extra chairs, to rent. Delivery and pickup of items must be arranged with the congregational administrator.

 

Use of the building is regulated by the church’s tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service; for instance, the premises may not be rented or used to engage in political campaigning. Please contact the Congregational Administrator with questions regarding building use.

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