We at the First Unitarian Church of Portland are pleased to make our facilities available to our members and friends.  We welcome groups interested in renting rooms for all types of events, including religious, educational, service, civic, cultural, recreational and social.  Some of our past events have included birthday parties, author lectures, board meetings, seminars and much, much more.

RULES & REGULATIONS

As with any other organization, we expect our renters to follow some basic rules.  Please review the following rules in order to help you decide if First Unitarian Church is the right place for you to hold your event:

We must receive a check for the total rental amount before we place your event on our calendar.  This amount is refundable only if we receive a cancellation notice at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event.

• Only members of the rental group will be admitted into the facilities.
• Only those rooms specifically rented may be used.  Exceptions to this rule are the restrooms throughout the facilities, which are available at the convenience of the group.
• Our kitchen facilities are not available for use unless you hire a hostess to help with the preparation and cleaning.  For a simple event, the charge for a hostess is generally $200, even if you wish to hire a caterer.  You may be required to hire a dishwasher as well, whose fee is $25.  That is at the discretion of the hostess.
• Renters need to provide for their own childcare during the time they are renting.  Children should always be supervised.
• Smoking is not allowed on any of the properties.
• Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine only) are allowed in the reception rooms only. Church members and staff may not serve alcohol while on church property.  We follow OLCC guidelines (more info available upon request).
• Please observe all City fire regulations while using our facilities.
• If decorations and displays are put up, they should not cause damage to church property and must be removed at the conclusion of the event.  All space should be restored to its original condition.
• We must ask you not to move any furniture.  If you have specific setup requirements, please let the front office know at the time of your reservation.
• Once a rental agreement has been signed, the renting group assumes all responsibility for personal liability, damage to the church and conduct of the group members during and/or resulting from the group’s activities.
• We do not provide any kind of lighting equipment.  Lighting equipment may be installed by the renting group, but must be removed at the conclusion of the event and at the expense of the sponsoring organization.
• A sound system is available only with the supervision of one of First Church’s sextons.
• All posters, flyers, announcements and advertising for your event must include a contact phone number from your organization, not the church office number.

RENTAL FEES

Please contact the church office for a full listing of rental fees.  The rates are on a first hour/every hour after basis.  In addition to basic rental fees, we also charge a $20/hour custodial/security fee.  This is a required fee.

Note:  First church members get a discount (20%) on rental fees.  Non-profit organizations will receive a 40% discount on rental fees.  In the event that the rental fees are a problem for you, occasionally one of our programs will sponsor you for the use of our space.  There would still be a $20/hour charge for a custodian, whose presence is required.  For security purposes, a member of the sponsoring program must also be on-site for the duration of the meeting.  In making a sponsorship request, keep in mind that an outside organization’s work should match a program’s purpose.  To make a sponsorship request, please contact the church office, 503-228-6389, ext. 0, and you will be directed to the appropriate program or church action group. 

PROCEDURE

Before you decide to use our church for a rental, we also suggest that you have a look at our facilities to see if they’re well suited for your event.  To make an appointment to view the facilities, please call the church office at 503-228-6389, ext. 0. 

Once you’ve decided that you’d like to use space at our church, you’ll need to contact the church office, 503-228-6389, ext. 0, to see if space is available on the date and time that you’re requesting.  (Please remember that we’re a very large and busy church; our space often books up quickly, particularly in Fall, Winter and Spring.  You’ll want to do your planning well in advance of your date). 

If the date you’re requesting is open, the church staff will fill out the church’s end of a Rental Agreement and send it to you for your signature.  Please return the signed Rental Agreement with a check for the total rental amount (made out to First Unitarian Church) to the church office.  At this time, your event will be added to our calendar.  We will send you a confirmation of your event. 

If you have any more questions, please contact the church office.