Channing Memorial Church
Wedding Information
Wedding Information
View forward toward the pulpit area from the back of the church.
General Information
We at Channing Memorial Church hope to assist you in making your wedding a most memorable and truly unique experience. Our beautiful Victorian sanctuary is available for use, regardless of church affiliation. Below is information we believe will be helpful in planning your special day.
Fees:
| Church Rental |
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Entire fee must be paid in two increments, or in full, if you prefer. |
| Non-Refundable Deposit |
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Due when you decide to reserve Channing Memorial Church for your wedding. This will ensure that the date you have chosen is yours alone. A receipt will be sent to you. |
| Balance of Church Rental |
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Due two months prior to the wedding date. Must be fully paid before the wedding rehearsal date. |
Sexton Fee This is your main contact
person! |
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You must discuss directly with Channing's Sexton. Contact Mr. Pat Padillia at (401)-862-0684 one week prior to your wedding. He will open and close the church to accomodate delivery of flowers and any other allowable preparations that you choose. |
| Minister's Fee |
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You discuss directly with the Minister you select. |
| Organist Fee |
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Call Channing's Music Director, Janet Grant, to arrange for time, music, and her fee. If you wish to have your own organist or pianist, you will still need to contact Janet to make the arrangements before your wedding.
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Reservations:
To make a reservation for a church wedding, please contact Channing's Administrator, Michele Dubuc, at: (401)-846-0643. The Office is open Monday thru Friday from 9 am to 1 pm The Church Office does have voice mail and e-mail (office@channingchurch.org). When you make your check(s) out, please let us know the date/time of your wedding, even if it's apporximate, and the bride's and groom's full names. Please make your check(s) out to Channing Memorial Church and send to:
Channing Memorial Church Email: office@channingchurch.org |
Minister:
Our Interim Minister is the Reverend John Nichols . To see if he is available to officiate at your wedding, please call him at the church office, (401)-846-0643. You may also email him directly at minster@channingchurch.org. If he is not available, you may wish to try Rev. Charles Flagg. He is a Unitarian Universalist minister who lives in Jamestown; he has performed many weddings at our church. Alternately, you may wish to try Rev. Lark d’Helen. She is a local liberal Congregational/UCC minister. You may also bring your own minister to perform the ceremony.
Rev. Charles Flagg, Unitarian Universalist
(401)-423-2649
cfflagg@aol.comRev. Lark D'Helen, Congregational (UCC)
(401)-841-0665
larkdhelen@cox.net
The rehearsal often takes place the evening before the wedding. Please arrange with the church administrator (office@channingchurch.org 401-846-0643).
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.
View toward the back of the church from the pulpit area.
Church Sexton:
It is your responsibility to contact the Sexton for arrangements for your wedding. If you wish your flowers to be delivered more than 1 hour before the service, please clear it and make your arrangements with the Sexton for accepting the delivery at the church. For safety sake, we request that your guests refrain from throwing rice or bird seed. Flower petals are acceptable.
Note from the Sexton
The Sexton is fee is $150 for preparing the church and opening and closing the doors on the day of the rehearsal and wedding. Additional charges may apply for general cleanup for the rehearsal and/or ceremony. You should discuss this directly with Pat ahead of time.
The church will be opened one hour prior to the service for the florist. Please contact the Sexton if other times are required and if additional charges are involved.
** Please note: As Channing Memorial Church is a historical site it is our responsibility to preserve it in every way. Do not use tape to fasten pew decorations. The floors at Channing Memorial are the original wooden floors. We can not allow couples to use candles for decoration due to wax drips along with fire safety regulations. You may use battery operated candles for decoration. You may use a ceremonial candle, such as a unity candle, with permission from the sexton.
For safety reasons birdseed, flower petals, and rice can not be thrown, and bubbles may not be blown.
It is important to choose a person to care for your candle after the wedding if you have the Unity Ceremony.
** At any time Channing Memorial Church, an historic structure, may be undergoing necessary repairs and scaffolding and other workplace materials may be visible. Every attempt will be made to minimize the impact of this equipment on the beauty and emotion of your ceremony.
Parking Facilities:
The B.P.O. Elks Lodge in Newport is right next door. Please call (401) 846-0815 and make arrangements with them directly. In order to accommodate wedding parties the Elks must have the request no earlier than 30 days prior to the event. There is a fee for use. There is also some street parking available nearby.
IMPORTANT:
Please confirm your wedding plans with the Sexton, Pat Padilla (401-862-0684), the Monday prior to your wedding. The publishers of Rhode Island Bride, Rhode Island Monthly, offer complimentary copies of Rhode Island Bride to couples getting married at our church. To obtain a free copy call: 1-800-274-4549.
May your wedding day bring all the things you expect and more!