As a vital part of the larger community, First Church in Jamaica Plain gladly makes our building and outside grounds available for private functions and public events.
First Church’s facilities can accommodate weddings, memorial services, concerts, dances, summer camps, educational programs, services for other religious communities, and public or private meetings.
Accessibility
Our rental spaces, other than the stage in the Main Hall and the Morse Room, are accessible.
Available Spaces
Sanctuary
Main Hall
Parish Hall
Dining Room
Parish Hall
Kitchen
Parish Hall
Morse Room
Parish Hall
Sanctuary
The Sanctuary was built by Nathaniel Jeremiah Bradlee in 1853 in the English Gothic Revival style and will seat 300-400 people in elevated wooden box pews. It is a magnificent space for weddings, concerts, public meetings, and other events which are in keeping with the room’s intended role as a place of worship and public meetinghouse. The Sanctuary has excellent acoustics, contains both a grand piano and an 1854 Hook Organ, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system, listening assist devices, and a
Main Hall
The Parish Hall building was added in 1889, designed in the Shingle Style. The Main Hall in the Parish Hall features a soaring ceiling, stained glass windows, and a stage. Sliding pocket doors separate the Main Hall from the Dining Room and Kitchen. The Main Hall is ideally suited for receptions and parties, artistic performances, art shows, and meetings. The hardwood floor is perfect for dancing. The Parish Hall can be set up for either dining or auditorium style. Its capacity is 100 but depends on the seating configuration you choose. The room has a stage. A video projection system with large screen mounted over the stage, audio system, grand piano, and livestreaming service are available for an
Dining Room
The Dining Room can be either a separate, smaller meeting space with a capacity of 40 or added space for an event in the Main Hall merely by opening the pocket doors between the two spaces. This space is unavailable during Nehar
Kitchen
The Kitchen is located directly off the Dining Room, providing renters or their caterers the space necessary to perform their food preparation
Morse Room
The Morse Room is a comfortable space for small groups (10 or less) with chairs and or tables available. Note the space is not
How to Book
- Please view the rental information that best describes you or
your organization: Non-Profits
and Community Service Organizations
Church Members
All
Others - Check the Building Use Calendar for the dates of your planned event to make sure the space(s) you want
are available. - If the date, time, and space(s) are available, then complete the appropriate information packet, scan the application, and email it to rentals@firstchurchjp.org.
We welcome your inquiry regarding the use of our space. Feel free to contact us once you have confirmed there is availability for your event and have reviewed the appropriate
Summary Fee Schedules
for Non-Profits and Community Service Groups
Space Rental
| Space | Capacity | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary | 400 | $375 (4 hours, $75/additional hour) |
| Main Hall + Dining Room | Parish Hall | 100 | $375 (4 hours, $50/additional hour) |
| Morse Room | 15 | $175 (4 hours, $30/additional hour) |
| Kitchen | $50 | |
| Church Grounds (Outside) | $125 (4 hours, $25/additional hour) | |
View Detailed Fees, Rental Packet, and Application Form →
Other Rentals / Services
| Item | Description | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Piano | $100 (4 hours, $30/additional hour) | |
| Sexton Support | The Sexton assists the renter in setup, event support, and breakdown of the space (returning chairs and tables; removing and disposing of decorations and renters’ materials; removing trash to the outside bins; and leaving the space in the same condition the renter found it) once the event |
$20/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sexton + AV Support | Event support as above, plus support for audio, video, and/or livesteaming. | $25/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sanctuary Audio | The Sanctuary has six microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones, a piano wired microphone, two boom wired microphones for musical groups/choirs, one wireless microphone, and one pulpit mounted microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are |
$100 |
| Sanctuary Livestreaming | Virtual attendees can view and hear the event in the Sanctuary via a directional video camera that can follow the event and focus on participants. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
$75/event Optional audio: add $100 Optional recording: add $100 |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio | The Main Hall has two microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones and one wireless microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are hearing challenged. Use of audio players such as phones, tablets, or laptops must use one of the microphone outlets to access |
$75/event |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio, Video Screen and Projector | Overhead video projector with large motorized overhead projection screen mounted above stage has an HDMI connection for use with a video player or laptop. Renter can use their own audio player or laptop — or the Church can provide its laptop for an extra fee. NOTE: The event livestream cannot incorporate the video projected by the video player/laptop, but will capture the video player’s audio which is using the |
$175/event, add $100 for use of the Church’s laptop. |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Livestreaming | Virtual attendees can view and hear the event in the Main Hall via a fixed video camera focusing on the area in front of the stage. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
Livestream service: $30/event Optional audio: add $75 Optional recording: add $75 |
| Heating/Cooling Surcharge | For events scheduled between November 1 through March 31, a surcharge is added to cover heating costs. From July 1 through Labor Day, a surcharge is added to cover cooling costs in the |
Sanctuary heating: $70/event Parish Hall heating: $40/event Parish Hall cooling: $40/event |
Summary Fee Schedules
for Church Members
Members are people who have officially met with the Minister and signed the Membership Book.
Space Rental
| Space | Capacity | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary non-wedding |
400 | $175 (4 hours, $40/additional hour) |
| Sanctuary wedding |
400 | no charge |
| Sanctuary + Parish Hall wedding and reception |
400 / 140 | $225 |
| Sanctuary funeral/memorial service |
400 | no charge |
| Sanctuary funeral/memorial service and reception |
400 / 140 | no charge |
| Main Hall and Dining Room | Parish Hall | 100 | $175 (4 hours, $30/additional hour) |
| Morse Room | 15 | $50 (4 hours, $10/additional hour) |
| Kitchen | $50 | |
| Church Grounds (Outside) | $50 (4 hours, $10/additional hour) | |
View Detailed Fees, Rental Packet, and Application Form →
Other Rentals / Services
| Item | Description | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Piano | no charge | |
| Minister | No charge for a wedding or funeral/memorial service. |
no charge |
| Musician | For a wedding or funeral/memorial service. |
$200 |
| Sexton Support | The Sexton assists the renter in setup, event support, and breakdown of the space (returning chairs and tables; removing and disposing of decorations and renters’ materials; removing trash to the outside bins; and leaving the space in the same condition the renter found it) once the event |
$20/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sexton + AV Support | Event support as above, plus support for audio, video, and/or livesteaming. | $25/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sanctuary Audio | The Sanctuary has six microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones, a piano wired microphone, two boom wired microphones for musical groups/choirs, one wireless microphone, and one pulpit mounted microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are |
$50 |
| Sanctuary Livestreaming | To allow non-attendees to view and hear the event in the Sanctuary, there is a directional video camera that can follow the event and focus on participants. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
$35/event Optional audio: add $50 Optional recording: add $100 |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio | The Main Hall has two microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones and one wireless microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are hearing challenged. Use of audio players such as phone, tablet, and laptops would have to use one of the microphone outlets to be able to access |
$35/event |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio, Video Screen and Projector | Overhead video projector with large motorized overhead projection screen mounted above stage has a HDMI connection for use by a video player or laptop. Renter can use their own audio player or laptop — or the Church can provide its laptop for an extra fee. NOTE: The event livestream cannot incorporate the video projected by the video player/laptop, but will capture the video player’s audio which is using the |
$85/event, add $100 for use of the Church’s laptop. |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Livestreaming | Virtual attendees can view and hear the event in the Main Hall via a fixed video camera focusing on the area in front of the stage. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
Livestream service: $15/event Optional audio: add $50 Optional recording: add $75 |
| Heating/Cooling Surcharge | For events scheduled between November 1 through March 31, a surcharge is added to cover heating costs. From July 1 through Labor Day, a surcharge is added to cover cooling costs in the |
Sanctuary heating: $70/event Parish Hall heating: $40/event Parish Hall cooling: $40/event |
Summary Fee Schedules
for General Use
Space Rental
| Space | Capacity | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary non-wedding |
400 | $550 (4 hours, $125/additional hour) |
| Sanctuary wedding |
400 | $800 |
| Sanctuary + Parish Hall wedding and reception |
400 / 140 | $1500 |
| Sanctuary funeral/memorial service |
400 | $500 |
| Sanctuary funeral/memorial service and reception |
400 / 140 | $1200 |
| Main Hall and Dining Room | Parish Hall | 100 | $575 (4 hours, $75/additional hour) |
| Morse Room | 15 | $100 (4 hours, $50/additional hour) |
| Kitchen | $50 | |
| Church Grounds (Outside) | $200 (4 hours, $35/additional hour) | |
View Detailed Fees, Rental Packet, and Application Form →
Other Rentals / Services
| Item | Description | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Piano | $100 (4 hours, $30/additional hour) | |
| Minister | Funeral/memorial service: $385 Burial/gravesite: $275 Wedding: $550 minimum |
|
| Musician | Funeral/memorial service or wedding: $300 | |
| Sexton Support | The Sexton assists the renter in setup, event support, and breakdown of the space (returning chairs and tables; removing and disposing of decorations and renters’ materials; removing trash to the outside bins; and leaving the space in the same condition the renter found it) once the event |
$20/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sexton + AV Support | Event support as above, plus support for audio, video, and/or livesteaming. | $25/hour, 3 hour minimum |
| Sanctuary Audio | The Sanctuary has six microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones, a piano wired microphone, two boom wired microphones for musical groups/choirs, one wireless microphone, and one pulpit mounted microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are |
$150 |
| Sanctuary Livestreaming | To allow non-attendees to view and hear the event in the Sanctuary, there is a directional video camera that can follow the event and focus on participants. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
$100/event Optional audio: add $150 Optional recording: add $100 |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio | The Main Hall has two microphone outlets with two handheld wired microphones and one wireless microphone. Hearing assist earphones are also available for attendees that are hearing challenged. Use of audio players such as phone, tablet, and laptops would have to use one of the microphone outlets to be able to access |
$100/event |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Audio, Video Screen and Projector | Overhead video projector with large motorized overhead projection screen mounted above stage has a HDMI connection for use by a video player or laptop. Renter can use their own audio player or laptop — or the Church can provide its laptop for an extra fee. NOTE: The event livestream cannot incorporate the video projected by the video player/laptop, but will capture the video player’s audio which is using the |
$250/event, add $100 for use of the Church’s laptop. |
| Main Hall / Parish Hall Livestreaming | Virtual attendees can view and hear the event in the Main Hall via a fixed video camera focusing on the area in front of the stage. The Audio System option is required to hear audio of the event. A recording of the event’s livestream |
Livestream service: $50/event Optional audio: add $100 Optional recording: add $75 |
| Heating/Cooling Surcharge | For events scheduled between November 1 through March 31, a surcharge is added to cover heating costs. From July 1 through Labor Day, a surcharge is added to cover cooling costs in the |
Sanctuary heating: $70/event Parish Hall heating: $40/event Parish Hall cooling: $40/event |
