Channing Memorial Church
Wedding Information
Wedding Information
View forward toward the pulpit area from the back of the church.
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General Information
Channing Memorial Church offers a beautiful setting for your wedding. The Victorian Sanctuary, built in 1880, has ornately carved woodwork and is decorated with beautiful stained glass windows. Channing welcomes couples of all faiths & religious backgrounds. Below is information we believe will be helpful in planning your special day.
- Please call 401-846-0643, or email us at weddings@channingchurch.org
- Channing Memorial Church is Unitarian Universalist. It was built in 1880 to honor William Ellery Channing, the founder of Unitarianism in America.
- We welcome couples of all religious backgrounds, and those desiring a same gender wedding..
- The center aisle length is 72 feet; it is approximately 58 inches wide (pew end to pew end).
- There are 22 rows of pews on each side and seating capacity for approximately 425 persons.
- The church has heat, but does not have air conditioning. There are ceiling fans and the church stays cool in the summer months.
- There is a small room for the bridal party do last minute touch-ups and process from. There is also a small room for the groom off of the chancel area in the front of the church.
- The restrooms are located in the Parish Hall, directly behind the church.
- $1950 Payable to Channing Memorial Church ($200 deposit with signed contract to secure your wedding date/time; $1750 due 3 months prior to ceremony.) This fee includes:
- Use of the Church
- Wedding Coordinator Services
- Our Wedding Coordinator, Michele Dubuc, will be here to assist with the processional.
- Sexton Services
* Please note, this does not include musician or officiant fees. These fees may be discussed with, and paid directly to, the person you select.
** Reduced rates may be available for weekday, Friday, or Saturday morning wedding ceremonies. Please contact our Wedding Coordinator for more information.
- Couples are responsible for hiring an officiant or minister to perform their ceremony. We recommend using Rev. Lark d’Helen, our community minister, who performs most wedding ceremonies at Channing Memorial Church. You may contact her directly.
PHONE: (401) 497-4073; EMAIL: larkdhelen@cox.net
WEBSITE: NewportWeddingCeremonies.com
- Rehearsals at Channing Memorial Church are available for no additional fee
- Rehearsals are typically scheduled for the day before the ceremony.
- In the event of a wedding and rehearsal scheduled for the same day, the couple with the wedding gets the first choice of time. Rehearsals must be scheduled at least three hours before, or two hours after, the wedding ceremony or may be scheduled for a different day.
- The church has an organ, piano, and a basic sound system.
- Janet Grant is our Director of Music. Please contact Janet with any questions regarding your ceremony music at: 401-423-0515, or by email at music@channingchurch.org
- You may also contact Janet Grant if you are interested in hiring a Chimer to ring our historic William Blake bells for your ceremony.
- The church does not provide flowers or pew decorations.
- Please provide our wedding coordinator with contact information for your florist, if they require access to the church.
- Wax candles may not be used for decoration. You may use fuel cell or flameless battery operated candles. You may use a ceremonial candle, such as a unity candle. It is important to choose a person to care for your candle after the wedding if you have the Unity Ceremony.
- Do not use tape or tacks to fasten pew decorations, or anything that could leave a mark.
- We request that your guests refrain from throwing anything inside the church.
Parking:
There is limited free street parking on Pelham Street and on Bellevue Avenue.
There are two large parking lots within walking distance of Channing that may be used for a fee. Please contact them directly to make arrangements:
- The B.P.O. Elks Lodge is the closest lot, right next door. Please call: (401) 846-0815, extension 2, Hall Rentals. Arrangements cannot be made until 1 month prior to ceremony, due to the fact that the Lodge may need the lot for their own event.
- The 130 Bellevue Avenue Parking Lot is a large L-shaped lot. Your guests may enter via Bellevue Avenue and park in the back. They can exit on foot to Downing St. where there is a crosswalk across Bellevue Avenue to Pelham Street. It is a 3-5 minute walk from the church. Please call Tony Raposa: 401-632-6636.
Recommended Vendors:
Floral Design:
Stoneblossom Florist (401) 884-3220; www.stoneblossom.com
Robin Hollow Farm (401) 294-2868; www.robinhollowfarm.com
Transportation:
The Newport Wedding Trolley (401) 847-6921; www.vikingtoursnewport.com
Wedding Ceremony Planning Guide
Michele will be here throughout the Rehearsal and Wedding Ceremony. Below is a guide of what needs to be done when, to help ensure your ceremony goes smoothly. |
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Hire a minister or officiate if you have not done so already. We strongly recommend our Community Minister, Rev Lark d'Helen, who will customize your ceremony to your own personal beliefs. You may bring your own officiate or minister. Please let our Wedding Coordinator know who you have selected as soon as possible. |
Hire your Musician(s). Janet Grant is our Director of Music. Please contact Janet with any questions regarding your ceremony music at: 401-423-0515, or by email at music@channingchurch.org. You may also contact Janet Grant if you are interested in hiring a Chimer to ring our historic William Blake bells for your ceremony.
Secure transportation for the wedding party. Newport is a popular wedding destination spot, with many weddings happening every weekend during the season. Make sure to secure transportation as soon as possible.
Three Months Prior To Ceremony Mail in Your Balance:
- $1750, make check out to Channing Memorial Church
Please mail to: Channing Memorial Church; Attn: Wedding Coordinator
135 Pelham Street, Newport, RI 02840
Make Parking Arrangements if you have not done so already. There is free street parking on Pelham Street and on Bellevue Avenue. There are two large parking lots within walking distance of Channing that may be used for a fee. Please contact them directly to make arrangements:
- The B.P.O. Elks Lodge is the closest lot, right next door. Please call: (401) 846-0815, extension 2, Hall Rentals. Arrangements cannot be made until 1 month prior to ceremony, due to the fact that the Lodge may need the lot for their own event.
- If you require earlier arrangements The Parking Lot at 130 Bellevue Avenue may be the best option. It is a 3-5 minute walk from the church. Your guest may enter via Bellevue Avenue and park in the back. They can exit on foot to Downing St. where there is a crosswalk across Bellevue Avenue to Pelham Street. Please call Tony Raposa: 401-632-6636.
Please email the following to our Wedding Coordinator if you have not already done so:
- Processional Order for the Bridal Party
- Name and contact information of the Florist and Photographer
- Prayers and Readings that will be read by guests
- Any Special Instructions
The Rehearsal is the beginning of the festivities for many families. You may have guests coming in from out of town, and everyone will want to chat and catch up for awhile. Even with excellent directions, someone in the Wedding Party is usually late. This is why it may be wise to set the Rehearsal time with your Officiant a half hour after the time you have told everyone else. This allows time for latecomers and reunions without inconveniencing your Officiant or delaying your Rehearsal Dinner.
The Church may be used for one hour for the wedding rehearsal. The Bridal Party Lineup for the procession down the aisle should be pre-planned in writing so that the rehearsal can go smoothly and be a respectful experience.
The night of the rehearsal we will:
- Run through the ceremony and processional twice.
- Determine where the wedding party will sit or stand during the ceremony.
- Go over cues for Groom & Groomsmen, Officiate, and Musician(s).
The groom and his groomsmen should be at the church one hour before the wedding in order to usher guests to their seats. The Bride and her bridal party should make every effort to arrive on time. Many people are anxiously awaiting her arrival! It is a wise idea to bring a cell phone in the limousine or trolley should anything happen on the way to the Church.
We would love to have pictures from your Wedding here at Channing. Please email us your photos (weddings@channingchurch.org), along with name of your Photographer. We are keeping an album of our ceremonies, and want to be sure to give the photographer proper credit. Best wishes on your new life together!