NEW VENUE SEARCH

Seven-Point Guide

Join the Search

If you were to hop online and do a quick search of venues for rent in the area, you’d probably notice two things:

  1. There are a lot of them.

  2. Evaluating and comparing them is really challenging.

However, if you’re the type of person who likes a good challenge and doesn’t mind mining the vast resources of the internet, then join us in the search! Below are seven tips for a more successful hunt. Thanks for helping, and feel free to email any good options to our Parish Council.

I. Location, Location, Location 

You’ve heard the realtors’ mantra before: the three most important things are location, location, location. When it comes to location, we’re aware of the fact that we are spread throughout the city and increasingly into the larger region. So it behooves us to stay as close as possible to our current address, which is a very central location in the city and reflects our value of being a city church. As you hunt, prioritize proximity. Jump on Google Maps, find Harbor Anglican Church and map driving directions to the alternate location. If it’s 15 minutes or more, cross it off.

II. Cost 

Our current venue costs us approximately $2,500 per month on average (rent, utilities, & insurance). This is an amazingly good deal mainly because we have a very strong and healthy relationship with the Samaritan Center. We assume we will have to pay significantly more for a different space ($4,000+), but this current number we currently pay helps give you a bench mark for comparison.

III. Size

The room we currently worship in has a max occupancy of 150. Our average Sunday attendance hovers around 80, though if everyone came on the same Sunday we would have around 115 folks in worship not including visitors. Our next space ought to allow us to grow and should roughly be able to fit double what we currently fit. However, keep in mind that too big a space will feel cold and empty, just as too small a space will make us wonder why we bothered. Also, remember that a room that is 85% full feels 100% full psychologically.

IV. Additional Rooms

One aspect that can’t be overlooked is the additional rooms we need for the children, Christian formation, and office space. We would need four additional rooms, each able to hold our current size and allow for growth. Also, a suitable venue must have space for feasting and conversation after worship, which has become an essential part of our life together. Whether this be a large foyer, an attached room, or simply extra space in the back of the main room, a space for feasting is something we want to retain.

V. Amenities

We don’t need much in the way of amenities, but some are pretty non- negotiable. The building should be ADA compliant. Make sure there are bathrooms available, and that they are a reasonable proximity to the main meeting room. Outside there should be sufficient parking without a confusing or arduous walk to the entrance, and ideally there would be a lawn, a playground, or some other “run space” for children. Don’t forget, it needs to have chairs available for our use too. While not mandatory, a sound system, storage space, and piano on-site would be ideal.

VI. Hours of Availability

Of course, the venue needs to be available on Sunday mornings. If the place seems ideal, check to make sure another church like us isn’t already renting it. Also, you may find that the space does not have a Sunday renter, but it does have occasional Sunday morning events that would take priority over us.

VII. Spatial Affinity and Personal Relationships

Lastly there are two important components that are hard to quantify. First is the question of spatial affinity; that is, do you think people would like being there? Does it have potential to feel like a place of worship and reflect sacredness? Secondly, consider the site coordinators who decide if we’re “in” ...and when we’re “out.” We should be sure that the people who supervise the venue would be continually happy to house us.

In Summary

When considering a venue, run it through these limiting questions:

  1. Is it close to where we’ve been meeting?

  2. Is it reasonably priced?

  3. Does it give us room to grow without making us feel too small at present?

  4. Are there additional rooms for children, Christian formation, offices, and general fellowship?

  5. Does it include chairs, sufficient parking, bathrooms, handicap access, and “run space?”

  6. Is it available on Sunday mornings on a reliably ongoing basis?

  7. Does the space have the capacity to feel worshipful, and would we be welcome?

If you find an option that you think makes the cut, let the Parish Council know. Thank you!