Non-Church Use

Guidelines for Use of First Baptist Church Facilities:
Non-Church Related Events

Availability

All facilities at First Baptist Church are intended for the use and benefit of its membership and implementing FBC sponsored ministries.
The church property and buildings, with the exception of the sanctuary, are available for use by approved non-profit groups or church members for church related events or for non-church related events. Non-church related events are defined as events that may occur at this facility but are not a part of the overall ministry of the church. These events may or may not involve church members.
The church sanctuary is to be used for church services and church-related worship such as Vacation Bible School. The only other community uses of the church sanctuary are for weddings, funerals and graduation ceremonies so that the sacred nature of the sanctuary may be preserved.
The Properties Committee, under the guidance of the Deacon body, reserves the right to refuse use of its facilities by any group for any reason. The church, specifically, will deny any use it feels is counter to the mission of the church.
No use will conflict with activities of the church or preparation for these activities.
The church reserves the right to cancel any reservation for use with no less than four weeks prior notice in favor of its own need or those of its members.
No items within the church, including folding tables and chairs, tablecloths, dishes, utensils, etc. are available for use outside of the church property, unless for a specific church related function.
A separate wedding policy is available and should be used for that specific event.  A separate student building (The Place) policy is available at the end of these pages and should be used for that facility.
The church is not available on Sunday for non-church related events except for events that are supportive of the mission of our church (i.e., anniversaries, showers, etc.). The church is not available on Wednesday evenings. If the sanctuary is used on Saturday, the event must be completed and the sanctuary cleaned by 9:00 p.m.
All events scheduled should be concluded by 10:00 p.m.

General Use
Arrangements for opening and closing of the building must be made with the church secretary no later than one (1) business day before the requested use.
Food and drinks are not allowed in the sanctuary.
All church facilities must be left in the same manner as they were before use, as clean and with the original arrangement of furnishings. Furnishings in the sanctuary must be moved by church personnel. A fee will be charged. Tables in the fellowship hall must be taken down by church personnel (a fee will be charged), but otherwise may be moved about temporarily. Furniture in the education building may be temporarily moved about as well. All furniture must be returned to its original location before leaving. If the user prefers that furnishings be rearranged by church personnel, a fee will be charged.
All food waste must be disposed in the kitchen trashcans only.
Each group is responsible for cleaning all dishes and utensils used. The kitchen dishwasher is NOT to be used.
Each group will be financially responsible (in particular, the person who reserved the facilities) for any damage caused. Determining the extent of damage and its expected repair costs is at the discretion of the church.
Candles used in the facilities must be of the dripless variety and must have protective sheets under the candles to prevent spilling wax on the carpet and furnishings. Candles may be used in the windows only when enclosed in globes and with protective trays under each candle. Any damage caused by candles will be at the expense of the person responsible for reserving the church facilities.

Fees

Non-profit groups and church members using the facilities are required to submit a $250.00 deposit, refundable if the facilities are left as found, in a clean and orderly manner. The church reserves the right to retain this deposit and to require additional fees be paid to cover any unexpected janitorial or repair expenses.
A janitorial fee of $100 is required for all events.
The fee for moving/removing furniture is $100 for each area.
A utilities and maintenance fee of $50 per event will be charged for those exceeding 3 hours in duration.
The Properties Committee will determine if a certificate of insurance would be required for activities that could have some liability exposure. (8/17/99)

Procedure for scheduling use of facilities

Call the church secretary to check on the availability of the facilities.
Complete and submit approval form to the church office. This form will be forwarded to the chairman of the Properties Committee.
The Properties Committee will discuss, approve or deny, and notify the church secretary.
The church secretary will record on the church calendar and contact the requesting party of the approval or denial of the event.
The security deposit will be due at the time of notification, and other applicable fees must be paid at least 2 weeks (10 business days) before the event.

Click here to download our Facility Agreement Form