Rentals at First Parish

The hall has excellent acoustics, and the solid maple floor is perfect for dancing. Sun-drenched by day, intimate at night, Parish Hall is just over 1,800 square feet.

Maximum capacity is 250, but practical capacity depends on use and is generally less. There are 160 stacking chairs available at no additional cost, as well as numerous folding tables. A grand piano, a portable stage, and a portable sound system may also be available for an additional fee.

The Pantry was designed to facilitate the final preparation of food and beverages to be served in Parish Hall.

The Pantry is equipped with two 1.5-gallon coffee-makers, a standard household refrigerator, a standard microwave oven, a heavy-duty dishwasher, and a heavy-duty gas stove/oven.

The Pantry is a serving kitchen only, meaning that any food requiring significant cooking, handling, or other preparation must be prepared off-site.

The Parlor is a comfortable space for medium sized groups. It has a sofa, club chairs, a conference table seating 8, and additional seating.

Maximum capacity is 49. Food may be served with prior approval.

The Conference Room has a conference table which seats eight; peripheral seating allows groups of up to 12 to comfortably use the room.

The room is air-conditioned.

The Youth room is basically a small lounge. It contains a sofa and large matching chairs, as well as a table and assorted other chairs.

A TV with VCR/DVD is available for use in this or any other room. Maximum capacity is 16.

The Music Room is a classroom with seating for 23 and a grand piano.

The Nursery is air-conditioned and filled with items necessary for the care of infants and young children. Capacity is 11.

First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist is a congregation open to holding memorial services for family and friends of Unitarian Universalists, and also those of mixed faith, multifaith, and no particular faith.

Contact Susanna Whitman, Parish Administrator 781-444-0823 x2, to secure space and a date for a service. If a suitable date is available at the church, contact the minister, Rev. Catie Scudera to discuss the service, and either her availability or if it is possible for another officiant to lead the service.

Memorial services, or services of remembrance, have a special set of considerations including how to arrange for an officiant, whether a reception will be held at First Parish, arranging for a musician and so on. Please call the church office to see if space is available. All rules of building use apply.

When a date is found and a conversation has taken place with Rev. Catie, the Parish Minister, Susanna Whitman the Parish Administrator will send a rental form which serves as a contract. Space and date will only be booked by payment of a deposit, which is 50% of the rental fee.

Child dedications or naming ceremonies are Unitarian Universalist services, led by our minister and occasionally assisted by a minister or other cleric who is a friend or family member.  We make our best effort to accommodate the wishes of couples and families.

People interested in holding a child dedication at First Parish should consult with the Parish Administrator and then with the Minister to determine an agreed-upon date and to plan the ceremony.  

If you would like to schedule a child dedication  for your child or children, please contact our minister, Rev. Catie Scudera, at minister@uuneedham.org to discuss the ceremony and schedule a date.  Note: These services are free to members.