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 HSR 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:
- Check availability of your preferred venue by CLICKING HERE, then
- 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, by email 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 7
Meeting space for up to 8 people
Meeting Room 9
Meeting space for up to 12 people
Kitchen
This includes: large counter-space, two refrigerators, coffee urns, kettles and coffee maker, and two stoves.
See Restrictions section below for limitations on kitchen use.
Library
Cozy meeting space for two to four people.
Garden
Outdoor space ideal for a family party, ceremony or reception.
Parking Lot
Our parking lot is available for rental purposes. We have 90 parking spaces. The parking lot may be booked separately or with another room.
Restrictions
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.
- On Sundays until after 4 p.m. due to church scheduling.
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).
Fees
All applicable fees, whether payable to the church or others, are to be paid prior to the rental.
Fees include:
Rental Fees
| Rental Booking | Description | Base Rate | Rate per Additional Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanctuary (Rm 1) | Attractive space that can seat 250 people and with a modern sound system (requires sound technician to operate). | $350.00 | $75.00 |
| Foyer | Large foyer for receiving visitors. May be set up with tables, chairs. | $125.00 | $30.00 |
| Kitchen (Rm 8) | Includes: two stoves, two refrigerators, coffee urns, kettles and coffee maker. | $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. | $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. | $50.00 | $15.00 |
| Garden | Outdoor space ideal for a family party, ceremony or reception. | $150.00 | $40.00 |
| Grand Piano | Steinway concert grand. | $150.00 | N/A |
| Upright Piano | When a concert grand is not required. | $50.00 | N/A |
| AV/Sound Technician(s) (open/close service provided) | Skilled AV/sound technician(s) 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 |
| Parking Lot Rental | Parking Lot | $200.00 per day | N/A |
| Whole Church except for offices | Whole church rental | $800.00 | $200.00 |
Additional Fees (payable to the church)
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.
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.
Additional Fees (payable to others)
Insurance
Proof of liability insurance must be provided for all rentals. The cost of the insurance is paid by the renter directly 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 Options
Please inform us if you need to use our Audio/Visual technology in the rental inquiry form below. A/V options include:
- 85″ Smart TV (with laptop)
- Portable Sound System (podium, microphone and speaker)
- Sanctuary A/V System
The 85″ Smart TV can be used:
- To present material for a meeting
- As the video device for a hybrid in-person/online meeting.
Connection to the TV is by HDMI cable or through the church’s Wi-Fi system. There is a laptop associated with the TV that can connect into the church’s Wi-Fi system and through it to the internet.
The TV is moveable and is practical for use in the Sanctuary, Fellowship Hall, Room 9, and the Foyer.
Portable Sound System
The portable sound system is a podium with built-in amplifier, microphone and speaker and is usable in any room. Instructions for use are included in the podium.
Sanctuary A/V System
Use of the Sanctuary A/V system requires booking of the church’s A/V Tech Team and is dependent on their availability. Rentals pay the base rate of $120 (for four hours with one being for set up) for A/V Tech support and an additional $30 per hour for each Tech.
Submit a Rental Request
After completing the inquiry form, be sure to click “Submit” at the bottom of the form.