Weddings at the Phippsburg Congregational Church

Weddings at the Phippsburg Congregational Church (UCC)

Enter through separate doors, leave as one . . .

Welcome!

The Phippsburg Congregational Church is a beautiful and historic site much loved by its members and by the local community. First and foremost, this church is home to an active and growing Christian Community with roots dating to 1765. We share this landmark with couples who wish to be married here because it is such a hallowed place. The church is a place of worship, therefore all ceremonies here must be religious. We hold that "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." (I John 4:16) As you come to honor the love God has given you to share we also ask you to honor this sacred space.

The People Involved

Sherry Jacobs is our Wedding Contact, representing the church at all weddings. You will be working with her in reserving the church for your wedding date and all other aspects of the actual church building itself: viewing the church, flower drop-off, rehearsal times, and being present at your rehearsal and weddings. You may reach her at (207) 389-1345.

Our Pastor is Mark Wilson. Reserving the church does not automatically mean you have "reserved" him, so please contact him at (207) 389-1767 or at markdw@gwi.net if you require his services. He is willing to work with you as his schedule allows, but you must commit to several meetings before your service takes place. He wants to speak with you at length not just about your wedding, but about your marriage. He wants your wedding day to be as meaningful to you as your love is to each other. Therefore, if you have already have a minister who you would like to celebrate your marriage covenant, he highly encourages you to work with her/him.

Our Staff Organists are Helene Thomas (207) 389-2367 or heleneth@localnet.com and Bill Gilman (207) 389-1369. We have a wonderful Allen Digital Organ and two people most capable of playing it, but reserving the church does not automatically mean you have reserved either of them. As with our Pastor, make separate arrangements with one of them if you require their services at your wedding. If you have special music that is outside the standard repertoire, please provide the Organist with this music at least one month in advance. As with our Pastor, if you have a friend who you would like to play our organ instead of our Staff Organists, please have your organist contact one of them to make arrangements for use of the organ. We also have a nice Steinway Grand Piano you may use for your service, as well as a CD player, cassette tape player, and microphones.

Policies, Terms, and Conditions

Parking. When the church building was completed in 1802, there was no way our forebears could have understood the need for parking. We are fortunate to now offer a parking lot across from Church Lane on the Parker Head Road that holds around 30 cars. We are also fortunate to have property that we can use for parking near the church, but it is limited to 50 cars and only to the space in the field in front of the church (around the Linden tree). Please respect the private property of the homes around the church and do not park anywhere on the east (or "river") side of the access road to the church ("Church Lane"). The church is located off a small, rural road. Especially during the summer, traffic volume on this road, for its location, is heavy. Therefore, you must contact the Phippsburg Town Hall (207) 389-2653 to arrange for the Town Constable and/or Chief of Police and an assistant to direct traffic at your wedding. You should hire these folks for at least one hour: 30 minutes before your service starts and 30 minutes afterwards. Compensation of these people is your responsibility.

Church Furnishings. The pulpit in the church is on casters and is usually moved to one side for weddings, or it may be used as a lectern for readers. We have two plant stands and two lecterns in the church which are available for your use. Hymnals are property of the church. If you find that a guest has inadvertently removed a hymnal from the church, mail it to us at the address given below. Symbols of our faith, flags and other furniture in the church must not be moved.

Photography. As a wedding is a worship service to God celebrating love, we ask that folks restrain from taking flash photographs, especially during the service itself (that is, while the bride and groom are "at the altar"). Please have your photographer/videographer check in with the presiding Pastor on this issue.

Respect for the space. Do not use confetti or rice. Do not use pins, tacks, nails, or any other objects that might mar the surfaces of the church. Smoking and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on church grounds.

Reservations. Because most of the people involved with your wedding have lives outside the church, we try to only schedule one wedding per weekend. If you date is available, you can reserve it by sending an original, signed copy of the wedding contract to Sherry Jacobs at the address listed below, along with the Church Rental Fee as a deposit. The rest of the fees are due 30 days before your wedding date. If you wish to use our Pastor and/or Staff Organists, it is highly recommended that you check their availability first before committing to the church.

Fee Schedule for the Church:

1. Those in Fellowship of the Church.

Church Rental: Free of charge

Pastors Fee: Negotiable.

Organists Fee: Negotiable.

Wedding Contact Fee: Negotiable.

Cleaning Fee: Negotiable.

2. Community Members Not in Fellowship of the Church

Church Rental: $250

Pastors Fee: $175

Organists Fee: $125

Wedding Contact Fee: $100

Cleaning Fee: $50

3. All Others

Church Rental: $500

Pastors Fee: $250

Organists Fee: $175

Wedding Contact Fee: $150

Cleaning Fee: $75

Note: Please make out separate checks for these fees to the following:

Church Rental: The Phippsburg Congregational Church

Pastor (if you use him): Mark D. Wilson

Organist (if you use either of them): Helene Thomas or Bill Gilman

Wedding Contact: Sherry Jacobs

Cleaning: Marie Harvell

Contract

Click here for an easily printable copy of our Wedding Contract. Please check first with our Wedding Contact, Sherry Jacobs, to see if your chosen date is available before sending it in. By signing this contract, you agree to all of the Terms, Policies, Conditions, and Fees set forth on this website.

The Linden Tree Meetinghouse

Linden Tree Meeting House

In addition to offering our historic church for your wedding, we are pleased to offer the Samuel Johnson Fellowship Hall of the Linden Tree Meetinghouse as a place to hold your wedding rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, or just socialize and/or do final preparations before the wedding. You may use only the upstairs of the hall itself, the bathroom, and the kitchen. This new multi-purpose facility, located adjacent to the church, will seat 75 people and more for those who stand. All other church policies apply to the use of this space. For a copy of this contract that you can print out for your use, click here . . . Linden Tree Meetinghouse Contract

A Statement of Use and Hold Harmless Policy of Linden Tree Meeting House Phippsburg Congregational Church, Phippsburg , Maine

1. Property and Agreement Form

This Agreement is entered into between Phippsburg Congregational Church (the “Church”) and

Name(s) ____________________________________ Date_________________

The buildings and land (the “facilities”) belonging to Phippsburg Congregational Church, along with all equipment owned by the Church represent a considerable investment of labor, time and treasure by past and present members of the Church. Some of it has been given in memory of beloved members and friends. All of the property, equipment, and facilities are set aside to the greater Glory of God and His worship, as well as the education and service in the Christian faith. It is the desire of the Church that this investment in land, buildings and equipment be used and respected.

2. Use of Facilities

The facilities of Linden Tree Meeting House are available to all organizations on a case by case basis with the advanced approval of the Deacons, Trustees or the Pastor when circumstances would require a decision before the next regular meeting of the Trustees.

3. Reservations

There can be no interference with normal church activities. Use of Linden Tree Meeting House is always subject to church needs and prior reservations.

4. Decorations and Posters

No Decorations or Posters may be placed or attached to the walls, ceilings, or beams of the Linden Tree Meeting House whether permanently or temporarily. Easels and freestanding art works/pictures are allowed.

5. Acceptance of Premises

The Church shall not be responsible for any damage or loss to persons or property of outside groups using the facility. Such groups agree that they have inspected the facility and accept the facility "as is." Such groups also assume their own liability. Such outside groups agree to indemnify and to hold the Church harmless from all liabilities, damages, lawsuits and reasonable attorney fees resulting from the use of this facility. This agreement shall be filed in the pastor's office.

Church school materials shall not be moved, taken or destroyed, nor shall the walls, furniture or papers be defaced. When the kitchen and the equipment is used, it shall be left in a clean and tidy condition. Trash and garbage must be placed in the proper receptacles.

6. Additional Regulations

The following policies are expected to be observed by all who use the facilities in any way, whether church or outside organizations.

1. The building and grounds shall be left as you found them.

2. All church facilities and grounds are smoke and alcohol free.

3. Children should be supervised at all times.

4. Only service animals permitted inside facilities.

5. Seating capacity is for 75.

7. Fee Schedule for the Linden Tree Meetinghouse for your Wedding Rehearsal Dinner or Wedding Reception. Using this space requires a separate contract from the Wedding Contract.

1. Those in Fellowship
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner - no charge for using the facility, but donations welcome. $50 payable to caretaker.

Wedding Reception - no charge for using the facility, but donations welcome. $50 payable to caretaker.

2. Community Members
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner - $150, with $50 payable to the caretaker, and $100 payable to the church.

Wedding Reception - $300, with $100 payable to the caretaker, and $200 to the church.

3. All Others
Wedding Rehearsal Dinner - $500, with $50 payable to the caretaker, and $450 to the church.
Wedding Reception - $1,000, with $100 payable to the caretaker, and $900 to the church.

7A. Fee Schedule for the Linden Tree Meeting House for Other Than Wedding Rehearsal Dinners or Wedding Reception

Fees will be charged for a 3-hour block of time. If any person or group goes past their 3-hour time limit, they will be charged for another full 3-hour block of time. All activities would be curfewed by 9:00 PM.

1. Community Non-Profit Organizations: No charge, but donations are always welcome. The first $25 of such a donation, if made, would go to the caretaker. Any donations above that amount would go to the church.

Those in Fellowship: $25 payable to the caretaker directly.

2. Other Community Members or Organizations: $50 with $25 payable to the caretaker directly and $25 to the church.

3. Others: $100 with $25 payable to the caretaker and $75 to the church.

8. Indemnification and Hold Harmless

Name ____________________________________________shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Church and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, losses, liabilities, damages, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and costs) arising out of or in connection with any allegations brought against the Church by any person(s) arising out of its use of its facilities.

9. Signatures

I have read the above Use Policy Statement and accept and agreed to its terms on behalf of__________________________________________ and its members and obligate us to comply with the agreement.

Date:___________________________

Signature:_______________________________________________________

Organization_____________________________________________________

Phone__________________________

Residence________________________________

Office Phone_______________________________

Address_________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

Contact Person __________________________________________________

Contact Person Phone__________________ E-mail___________________

Phippsburg Congregational Church

Phippsburg , Maine

Tel: 207-389-1767

http://www.phippsburgucc.org

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