Welcome to First Church in Jamaica Plain. As a vital part of the larger community, we gladly make our building and outside grounds available for private functions and public events.

First Church’s facilities can accommodate weddings and memorial services, concerts, dances, summer camps, educational programs, services for other religious communities, and public and private meetings.

The following is a brief description of the different inside spaces that are available for your event:

Floor Plan

The 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 livestreaming service.

The Main Hall in the Parish 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 additional fee.

The Dining Room Hall in the Parish Hall

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 Shalom rentals.

The Kitchen in the Parish Hall

The Kitchen is located directly off the Dining Room, providing renters or their caterers the space necessary to perform their food preparation and distribution. 

The Morse Room in the Parish Hall

The Morse Room is a comfortable space for small groups (10 or less) with chairs and or tables available.  Note the space is not handicap accessible.

The Burke Room in the Parish Hall

The Burke Room is another comfortable space for small groups (10 or less) with chairs and or tables available.  It is located on the second floor of the Parish Hall and is not handicap accessible. The space will be unavailable for rentals beginning March 1, 2024.

Our rental spaces, other than the stage in the Main Hall and the Morse and Burke Rooms, are accessible.

Additional Information

For detailed information about rentals (including pricing), please see the rental information packets below:

• Rental Packet for Non-Profits and Community Service Organizations
• Rental Packet for Church Members and Friends
• Rental Packet for All Other Applicants

Remember to please FIRST check the Church’s 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 space availability for your event and have reviewed the appropriate rental packet.

Building Use/Rentals Calendar