Rentals
First Unitarian has several attractive and functional rental spaces available individually or in combination for a wide range of uses. Our building is fully accessible and easy to get to:
- By car, we are just off the Main St. E. exit from the 403 and we provide free parking for 90 cars.
- By public transit, we are a short walk from the corner of Main and Dundurn Streets where there are both HST and GO Transit bus stops. CLICK HERE for travel planning.
If after reviewing the information about our space you are interested in pursuing a rental, CLICK HERE to submit a rental inquiry/request using the form below. If you have any other questions, please contact our Rental Coordinator, Stephanie Ounpuu, at bookings@uuhamilton.ca. PLEASE DO NOT CALL WITH RENTAL INQUIRIES!
Our Venues
Great Hall/Sanctuary
An attractive, configurable space with excellent acoustics that can seat 250 people. A Steinway Concert Grand, a Young Chang Baby Grand and a modern A/V system (with Hearing Loop) are optional extras that may be booked for your event.
Fellowship Hall
Great space for gatherings of up to 100 people. Can be set up with tables and chairs as needed for your event.
Foyer
Large foyer for receiving visitors. May be set up with tables, chairs.
Meeting Room 9
Meeting space for up to 12 people
Meeting Room 7
Meeting space for up to 8 people
Library
Cozy meeting space for 2 to 4 people.
Garden
Outdoor space ideal for a family party, ceremony or reception.
Kitchen Space
This includes: large counter-space, two refrigerators, coffee urns, kettles and coffee maker, and two stoves.
Please note: Our kitchen is not authorized for commercial use, therefore:
- Food preparation/cooking is not allowed as part of a rental. Stoves may be used to heat up food that has been prepared elsewhere.
- It is not permitted, during the rental, to sell food that was prepared elsewhere.
- Renters are not permitted to use church glassware, cutlery, pots and pans. Renters are encouraged to minimize environmental impact by renting glassware rather than using disposables.
- Renters are not permitted to use the sterilizer (commercial dishwasher).
Parking Lot
Our parking lot is available for rental purposes. We have 90 parking spaces.
May be booked separately or with another room.
Payable to the Church prior to the rental:
Payable to others prior to the rental:
- Liability Insurance
- Liquor License (optional)
Rental Fees: PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR RENTAL RATES WILL INCREASE BEGINNING 9/1/24!
Rental Booking | Description | Current Base Rate (4 hrs) | Current Additional Hour Rate | NEW BASE RATE, EFFECTIVE 9/1/24 | New Additional Hour Rate Effective 9/1/24 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sanctuary (Rm 1) | Attractive space that can seat 250 people and with a modern sound system (requires sound technician to operate). | $250.00 | $62.50 | $350.00 | $75.00 |
Foyer | Large foyer for receiving visitors. May be set up with tables, chairs. | $100.00 | $25.00 | $125.00 | $30.00 |
Kitchen (Rm 8) | Includes: two stoves, two refrigerators, coffee urns, kettles and coffee maker. | $65.00 | $16.25 | $75.00 | $20.00 |
Fellowship Hall | Great space for gatherings of up to 100 people. Can be set up with tables and chairs as needed for your event. The adjacent kitchen may be booked. | $120.00 | $30.00 | $200.00 | $40.00 |
Classrooms (each) – Library (Rm 3) – Emerson (Rm 7) – Potter (Rm 9) | – Library suitable for informal gathering of two to four people. – Emerson room suitable for meetings of up to eight people. – Potter room suitable for meetings of up to 12 people. | $35.00 | $8.75 | $50.00 | $15.00 |
Garden | Outdoor space ideal for a family party, ceremony or reception. | $120.00 | $30.00 | $150.00 | $40.00 |
Grand Piano | Steinway concert grand. | $150.00 | N/A | $150.00 | N/A |
Upright Piano | When a concert grand is not required. | $30.00 | N/A | $50.00 | N/A |
AV/Sound Technician (open/close service provided) | Skilled AV/sound technician to operate the AV/sound system in the Sanctuary. (Will also provide church opening and closing duties for your event.) | $120.00/per AV tech | $30.00 per AV tech | $120.00/per AV tech | $30.00 per AV tech |
Parking Lot Rental | Parking Lot | $150.00 per day | N/A | $200.00 per day | N/A |
Whole Church except for offices | Whole church rental | $475.00 | $118.75 | $800.00 | $200.00 |
Additional Fees
Setup Fee
If the renter requires the church to do special setup of either the Great Hall or Fellowship Hall, then a Setup Fee will be charged:
- $75 if church staff are able to do the work
- $150 if our outside service must be hired
Cleanup and Restoration Fee
Renters are required to leave the rented facilities in a clean state and to restore them to standard setup. The renter may do the cleanup and restoration or may pay the church to do it subject to the following:
A Saturday rental (any time of day) is subject to a cleaning fee of $250 for custodian services.
A rental on any other day that involves the serving of food/alcohol or the restoration of the Great Hall and where the renter chooses not to do the cleanup or restoration will be charged for custodian services: $125 if church staff are able to do the work, $250 if our outside custodial service must do a special cleanup
If the cleanup/restoration done by the renter is not satisfactory, then the cleanup/restoration fee will be deducted from the Booking/Security Deposit.
Booking/Security Deposit
A Booking/Security Deposit is required for all rentals and is:
- Due on booking the rental
- Not refundable if the Total Fee is not paid, there was damage, or cleanup required
- Refundable if the Total Fee (sum of the Rental Fees plus the Additional Fees) is paid and there was no damage and no cleanup was required
The amount of the Booking/Security Deposit is equal to the greater of:
- The Additional Fees, and
- 50% of the Total Fee
Prohibited Functions & Times:
Please note that we do not rent out our space for stag and doe parties, political rallies or any function that does not comply with our rental agreement or not-for-profit charity status.
We do NOT rent out our church on Sundays until after 2 pm due to church scheduling.
The 4th Monday of each month from 4 pm to 11 pm is reserved solely for church functions. Please contact chris@uuhamilton.ca if you are interested in booking this space for your church event.
Our kitchen may not be used for several purposes. Please see the note under the Kitchen Space above.
Insurance Cost
Proof of liability insurance must be provided for all rentals. The cost of the insurance is paid by the renter to the insurance company not to the church.
Liquor License
If alcohol is to be served at the event, the renter is required to obtain the appropriate liquor license and provide proof of same one week prior to the event.
Audio/Visual Policies and Usage Requirements:
Please inform us if you need A/V and what other technical requirements you have in the form below. All congregational events are provided A/V services on a volunteer basis but may not be available at the time of your request or meeting; it is highly recommended that you only request A/V tech support when you can’t use other measures like the portable podium with the speaker and microphone attached in the sanctuary or the OWL device. Outside rentals are to pay the base rate of 120 dollars (for two hours with one being for set up) for A/V tech support and an additional 30 dollars per hour for each tech. Our A/V Usage Policy can be found here. Our A/V Framework policy can be found here. Please review these policies before requesting A/V support.
OWL Labs Meeting Device Usage (for hybrid meetings and Church use only):
The church also has an OWL Labs meeting device (what is the OWL Labs Meeting Device? – click here for more information) for usage by church committees and teams for in-person/online hybrid meetings. This device allows for a 360 degree view and automatically follows the speaker. It works with Zoom and other online platforms.
For more information, please visit here for our setup and usage guide. A simplified version can be found here.
Video Tutorials for setting up and using the OWL:
Example/Demo Meeting with the OWL
OWL Set up and Unboxing (Longer version)
If you are interested in using our OWL meeting device, please note it on the rental request form and contact Chris McCoy, our Service Supports Manager, at chris@uuhamilton to arrange set up and usage. The OWL is currently in a blue case in the library. Please note that this device is only for internal church group use. Thank you!