If you are interested in learning more about utilizing the facilities, please contact the office at (315)677-3293 or send an email to cpresbyt@twcny.rr.com.
Columbian Presbyterian Church Church and Session Building Use Policy
We faithfully worship God by reaching out to our community and the world through outreach/mission, worship and programs. We enjoy close-knit fellowship and every phase of what we do in response to God’s call. As our founders, the Columbian Society which was established in 1805, stated, “be doers of the Word and not hearers only.” The congregation both past and present supported every good cause and answered every benevolent entreaty that has come before them and was worthy of their consideration.
It is important that we manage the use of church properties with care to preserve their context and function in a God-honoring way. All activities held in the church and associated properties must be consistent with who we are and what we believe. Individuals who are interested in using church property should contact the office as soon as possible to clear a potential date and time. The date can be saved as ‘tentative’ and confirmed after the date has been approved by the Sessions Board of Elders (hereafter referred to as “Session”).
Applications
All requests for building use must be submitted to the church office, which is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Applications for building use are subject to final approval of Session which usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month. Priority for use of the building is as follows:
First Priority: Church functions organized and coordinated by church members to accomplish the mission of the church.
Second Priority: Member activities planned by members of the congregation, primarily for the people of the church, but not limited to church members.
Third Priority: Activities that involve no specific Christian affiliation and do not conflict with the principles of Columbian Presbyterian Church (CPC). These are primarily events and activities hosted by non-profit or community organizations.
A member of the church must agree to be a sponsor of the activity.
The church and Session buildings are not available on Holidays, Sunday mornings, the weekends before and after Easter Sunday, and weekends before and after Christmas Week. In the event that two requests are made for the same date, events may be scheduled four hours apart and Columbian Presbyterian Church will host no more than two events per day.
Conduct & Expectations
Guests will conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for a place of worship.
Smoking, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, gambling, and weapons are not permitted at Columbian Presbyterian Church. It is the responsibility of the hosts to ensure that policies are understood and followed by all participants.
Users are expected to leave the facility in the same or better condition. Users will be held responsible for the care and condition of the space and equipment used including restrooms and kitchen facilities [where appropriate]. Materials used for the event should be removed within 24 hours of the completion of the event. All activities must conclude in time for adequate clean-up and to allow for closure of the building by no later than 10 p.m. Any property left on the premises after a period of 30 days after an event may be deemed abandoned, shall become property of the church, and may be disposed of at the discretion of the Session. Columbian Presbyterian Church is not liable for dresses, service ware, jewelry, purses/billfolds, or any personal items lost, stolen or damaged at any event related to events. Use of the building and properties assumes full access by participants of the rest rooms, coat storage and parking facilities.
Building Access
When necessary, a representative of the church will be available for building access. Parking assistance must be provided or managed by the event host.
Decorations
All decorations, displays, images or pictures shall be appropriate to a Christian setting.
- Flame candles and/or electric fixtures may be used in designated areas with approval. Flameless candles may be used in any area of the church.
- No nails, tacks, staples or screws shall be put in or on the walls or attached to the pews. Masking tape may be used on glass but NOT on painted walls or woodwork.
- All decorations must be removed within 12 hours of the conclusion of the building use unless other arrangements are made.
- No furniture shall be removed from the church building. All furniture must be returned to original placement upon completion of the events.
- Exit signs must remain visible at all times.
- Chairs, pews and hymnals may not be removed.
- Decorations for events held during seasons of Advent or Lent must be compatible with the church decorations, which shall remain during the event.
Supervision of Children
Please keep children supervised at all times. Adults must be present before the event begins and throughout until the last youth has left the building.
General Kitchen and Food Service
Guidelines for use of the kitchen and equipment are posted in the kitchen. Full kitchen use includes use of stove, ovens, refrigerator and appropriate containers and utensils. Event sponsors must provide their own food, supplies, and paper goods. Full kitchen indicates on-site preparation and cooking of food and beverages. Limited kitchen indicates off-site food preparation with use of kitchen facilities for cold food storage and preparation of beverages.
Upon completion of the event, counter tops should be free of foodstuff and other materials. Counter surfaces should be wiped clean of all crumbs and spills. The floor should be swept clean and/or mopped if there are visible spills. No food should be left in the refrigerator.
Fee Schedule
There are no fees for the use of the church or Session buildings when the host is a member of the church. Voluntary donations will gladly be accepted. The following fees are for events when the host is NOT a member of our church.
| Church and Sanctuary |
| Use of sanctuary |
$250 |
| Use of pew candles holders (optional) |
$25 |
| House keeping |
$75 |
| Session Building |
| Use of Session building for reception (tables and chairs on main floor with no kitchen facilities) |
$100 |
| Limited kitchen use (refrigerator and countertops only) |
$150 |
| Full use of building with kitchen and equipment |
$250 |
| House keeping |
$75 |
Session retains the right to make exception to or waive any part of these policies.
Approved on 11/10/15
version 10.23.2015
