Our Space Is Perfect For Your Next Event
Looking for a welcoming location for your special event?
Consider First Parish of Norwell. Our beautiful and historic meetinghouse, built in 1830, and our adjoining Parish Hall and Fogg Parlor are available and accessible to people with disabilities. The meeting house sanctuary has soaring ceilings, a long center aisle, and is well lit by daytime sunshine or evening chandelier and candles. Organ, piano, and harpsichord as well as a sound system are available. We also have a number of spaces available, from our cozy Fogg Parlor to our large and versatile Parish Hall to fit your needs.
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The church Meetinghouse can seat up to 200 people comfortably. The maximum capacity is 300, per fire regulations. The Parish Hall comfortably holds 10 tables and 100 chairs.
The church aisle measures 50’6” from front door to pulpit, has 40” wide carpet, and is 46” wide pew to pew. There are 13 pews on each side of the middle aisle and additional aisles to the outside, front and back.
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Our organist customarily provides music for all wedding ceremonies at the church and is available for other special occasions as well. You should contact the organist as soon as the wedding date has been confirmed by the church to help plan the music for your ceremony. Special musical requests may involve additional charges. Other music arrangements, such as a different organist, must be approved by our organist.
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Anyone using the church facilities must pay for the Sexton who will open and close the church, take care of the sound system, and clean up after the event. Additional charges are applied for the Sexton to clean up the Parish Hall, if used.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Event Rentals
Weddings
We are a liberal religious community welcoming to all regardless of religious preference, race, gender, or sexual orientation. To check availability please visit or contact the church office.
The Marriage License
In order to be married in Massachusetts, you must have a marriage license, which may be obtained from the Clerk of any city or town in the state. The prospective couple must fill out an Intention of Marriage Form and a Record of Social Security Numbers. The license is issued three working days after the intentions are filed and valid in any community in Massachusetts for a period of 60 days from the date the application was filed. The minister must have the license in hand before performing the ceremony. After the ceremony, the minister will complete the form and return it to the city or town Clerk who issued it. If you want a certified copy of the marriage record, you may obtain one after the marriage from the clerk of the city or town that issued the license, or from the Mass. Department of Vital Statistics in Boston.
Preparation for the Ceremony
Arrangements for the ceremony must be made with the minister in advance. A lead time of several months to a year is suggested for the best chance of scheduling the church for the exact day and hour you wish. Planning the ceremony is usually done in two to three meetings with the minister.
On the day of the wedding, the church will be opened two hours in advance of the time of the ceremony to receive flowers and make any final arrangements. If additional time is needed, this should be planned in advance with the minister and sexton. Ushers should plan to be present a least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled beginning time of the ceremony.
Birdseed, confetti, rice, or fresh flower petals are NOT permitted inside the church buildings. Silk or dried petals are acceptable. No confetti may be thrown outside the church. Stationary candles (provided by the wedding party) may be lit before the service starts. No other candle lighting or passing of candles is permitted. Use of wire to attach flowers, etc. to pews is prohibited. We ask that you leave the church, arrangement of furniture, etc. as you found it.
Photographs
A church wedding is a religious ceremony that should not be disturbed by excessive photography. Only the professional photographer may take a few NON-flash photographs during the ceremony. A professional video using natural light is also permitted. Many couples arrange a brief formal photo session immediately after the ceremony while all the members of the wedding party are present.
The Parish Hall
In addition to the sanctuary, we also have a separate reception hall. The Parish Hall has lots of historic charm with wood floors, light-colored walls, and many windows that provide lots of natural light. The room comfortably holds 10 tables and 100 chairs. Parish Hall also has access to a lovely outdoor veranda through glass and wood-paned doors.
Wedding Fees
$175.00 Non-refundable deposit to be deducted from the total; balance due 14 days prior to the wedding.*
*(Date is not confirmed until deposit is received.)
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No Cost
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No Cost
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$250 + $50 with rehearsal
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Meetinghouse: $100 + $50 with rehearsal
Parish Hall: $100
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No Cost
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No Cost
Member Cost
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$400
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$400 + $50 with Rehearsal
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$250 + $50 with Rehearsal
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Meetinghouse: $100 + $50 with rehearsal
Parish Hall: $100
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$100
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$25
Non-Member Cost
Use of other spaces may be negotiated with the church office in advance of the wedding
Organist, Sexton, and office fees are made out and paid to the individuals.
Other Special Occasions
Our facilities are available for dedications, Memorial Services, Funerals, Concerts/Recitals, and other Special Events.
To check availability, please contact the church Office Administrator.
Member Cost
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No Cost
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Memorial Service or Funeral: No Cost
Other Use: $75
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$35
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Memorial Service or Funeral: No Cost
Other Use: $50
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$35
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No Cost
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$300
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$250
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Meetinghouse: $100
Parish Hall: $100
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No Cost
Non-Member Cost
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$200
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Memorial Service or Funeral: $100
Other Use: $100
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$50
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Memorial Service or Funeral: $50
Other Use: $50
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$35
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$300
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$300
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$250
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Meeting House: $100
Parish Hall: $100
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$25
Organist, Sexton, and Office fees are made out and paid directly to the individuals. Payment due the day of the event.
Event Contacts
Office Administrator: Hope Weinman, office@firstparishnorwell.org
Organist: Gingy Grimes, gingygrimes@gmail.com, 617-980-6574
Sexton: Tom Fazio, 617-800-5970, office@firstparishnorwell.org
ALCOHOL POLICY
Policy for Serving Alcohol on Church’s Premises (Including the James Library)
Serving Alcohol at a Church Event - No Ticket Price or Entry Fee
Insurance coverage is afforded under the Host Liquor clause.
A license is NOT required from the Town of Norwell.
Examples of this kind of event are Canvass Dinners and Collations
Serving Alcohol at a Church Event - Ticket Price or Entry Fee
If dollars are “exchanged” for an event at which alcohol is served, the insurance company and the Courts’ interpretation is that alcohol is being “sold”. Examples of this kind of event held in the past: The James Library reception and the Golf Tournament.
NO coverage applies under the Church’s policy and the liquor liability exclusion applies.
A special Liquor Liability policy is required which costs about $100-$125. Such policies are available directly at www.theeventhelper.com. Hope Weinman, the church administrator, will be responsible for obtaining this policy. A minimum 3 week notice is required because this process generates a Certificate of Insurance that must accompany the application to the Town of Norwell to serve/sell alcohol.
A license to serve alcohol is required from the Town of Norwell.
A fee of $35. To download the application please go to: http://www.townofnorwell.net/Public_Documents/NorwellMA_Licenses/One%20Day%20Liquor
Allow 3 weeks to obtain the license
A Certificate of Insurance must be issued to the Town of Norwell showing liquor liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence naming the Town of Norwell as an Additional Insured (The certificate of Insurance is issued from The Event Helper referred to above but must be sent in with the application).
Renting the Church Facility - Liquor Will be Served - Not a Church or Related Party Sponsored Function.
(The church is only allowing the use of the premises.)
The renter must obtain a license from the Town of Norwell.
The renter must obtain a Liquor Liability and General Liability policy. This usually can be covered by the renter’s homeowner insurance, but the renter must provide FPN with a Certificate of Insurance.
The Church and or James Library must be listed as Certificate Holder and Additional Insured (as must the Town of Norwell for the Liquor Liability license).
Coverage for defense is provided by the Church’s policy, but the risk is shifted by requiring the above-noted Certificate of Insurance.