How to Rent Space in the Church
Events and Meetings
We are blessed with a fine church building and five acres of land in the City of Philadelphia . Our sanctuary with beautiful stained glass windows, a fine organ and piano seats over 300 people very comfortably. We have a lovely grove where outside weddings take place under a canopy of trees. Our dining and kitchen facilities allow for a range of options from fine dining to casual buffets. Our fellowship halls allow for live music, dj's and dancing.
For detailed information and fees for having your wedding, commitment service, event or meeting at the Unitarian Society of Germantown please download our Church Event Reservation Form. For more information and nonprofit rate or to book space, contact our Administrator at (215) 844-1157.
Features |
|
Sanctuary |
Main floor. Seats 300. Raised dais platform with podium. Samick baby grand piano. Sound system with up to 4 mics. Brick/marble limestone 1928 architecture. 2078 pipe Mšller organ (available by special advance arrangement only.) |
Dining/Committee Room |
Multi-purpose room with a capacity of 40 in chairs. Refreshment serving permitted, hardwood floors |
Assembly/Daskam Room- |
Multi-purpose room with a capacity of 100. Ivers & Pond 6ft baby grand piano. Sound system with up to 4 mics. Small stage with minimal lighting, Refreshment serving permitted, hardwood floors |
Sullivan Chapel |
A comfortable multi-purpose room with conference tables with a capacity of 50. Room may be used individually or as set with a partition between them. Carpeted |
Kitchen |
Large kitchen with stove, refrigerator. (Renter is responsible for bringing dishware, paper and silverware) |
If you are planning a wedding or commitment service, you are choosing to celebrate your love and commitment to one another through ritual and ceremony. Whether your ceremony is large or small, traditional or contemporary, it should reflect the relationship you share and the values you affirm as you formalize your bond with one another. You can choose one of our ministers or one of your own to perform your ceremony. Our ministers are also available to perform weddings at other locations if you prefer.
Our Role: Our ministers are here to help you, whether or not you are members of this church community. Our Parish Minister, the Rev. Kent Matthies, and our Affiliated Minister for Rites of Passage, the Rev. Libby Smith, each enjoy working with couples to create the ceremony that is right for them.
Whichever minister you choose, he or she will begin by meeting with you so that you can all get to know each other and feel sure that you are comfortable working together. You will also have a chance to ask the minister any questions you might have about his/her life, faith and background. Assuming at the end of that conversation that you all feel comfortable with each other, you then begin talk about the kind of ceremony you would like. Since Unitarian Universalism has no set marriage liturgy, you have a lot of freedom. Our ministers can give you as much or as little guidance as you want, and encourage you to make the ceremony as personal as you want it to be.
Within Unitarian Universalism, we enjoy working with couples to create services that honor their individual experiences, including diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. If you come from different religions, you may want to blend those traditions in your ceremony. Some couples prefer to omit religious language altogether.
Note regarding accessibility: All space in the main church building is fully accessible for persons with mobility limitations. The Austin Youth Lodge is not readily accessible; there are 12-14 stairs to enter the second floor. All payments for the use of facilities are contributions which directly support the programs and ministries of the Unitarian Society of Germantown.
Requirements and Fees:
Couples who are eligible for legal marriage must obtain a valid marriage license from the state in which they will be married, and it must be in the minister’s possession before he/she can conduct the ceremony. If you are being married outside of Pennsylvania , some notice may be required to make the necessary arrangements to be recognized as clergy in that state.
We look forward to the day when we can sign marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples and assure them of the same rights and privileges that legally married couples enjoy. Until that day, we urge you to make wills and sign durable power of attorney forms to protect your rights to the greatest degree possible.
