ISO Chapel-like venue available to rent to hold a baptism in Toronto
May 4, 2017 12:01 PM Subscribe
I would like to rent a church-like or chapel-like space to have a baptism. I do not want the church's minister/reverend/priest (if they have one) to do the baptism. I just want to rent the space. And I'd llke it if there were a room in said venue for holding a reception for 60-80 people and there were no restrictions on catering for that room (i.e. I want to bring my own food, not hire their caterer). In Toronto, by which I mean Toronto, not Brampton/Mississauga etc. etc. Does anyone know of a place I could rent that would fit the bill?
So I've tried a couple of United Churches that rent their sanctuaries, but as one might expect (and as is entirely reasonable, I know), they want to be involved in anything actually religious that goes on in their space. So I could get in on their baptism ceremonies that take place during their regular Sunday worship, if I want, but not hold me own thing. I'd like to hold me own thing (write the ceremony, pick the readings and hymns etc. etc.). This seems to be a policy that will vary from church to church and minister to minister, so feel free to suggest united (or other) churches that you think might have a different policy. I don't mean to imply that I've ruled out united churches, just that the two I thought might do it won't.
It looks like most other chapel spaces for rent are attached to some sort of banquet hall-like facility and want you to use either their catering or choose from a list of approved caterers. I am aware that any place that is not like this will require you to bring everything yourself (plates, table cloths etc. etc.) and will require you to do the set-up and clean-up. I'm ok with that.
This would be an infant baptism, if it matters. There would be no ordained person involved.
So I've tried a couple of United Churches that rent their sanctuaries, but as one might expect (and as is entirely reasonable, I know), they want to be involved in anything actually religious that goes on in their space. So I could get in on their baptism ceremonies that take place during their regular Sunday worship, if I want, but not hold me own thing. I'd like to hold me own thing (write the ceremony, pick the readings and hymns etc. etc.). This seems to be a policy that will vary from church to church and minister to minister, so feel free to suggest united (or other) churches that you think might have a different policy. I don't mean to imply that I've ruled out united churches, just that the two I thought might do it won't.
It looks like most other chapel spaces for rent are attached to some sort of banquet hall-like facility and want you to use either their catering or choose from a list of approved caterers. I am aware that any place that is not like this will require you to bring everything yourself (plates, table cloths etc. etc.) and will require you to do the set-up and clean-up. I'm ok with that.
This would be an infant baptism, if it matters. There would be no ordained person involved.
Try googling for 'baby naming ceremony' instead of baptism when you're searching for places to rent.
posted by empath at 12:50 PM on May 4, 2017
posted by empath at 12:50 PM on May 4, 2017
Beach United has a big churchy hall that you can rent.
918 Bathurst used to be a Buddhist Temple, but is now a culture/event space. The main space still retains its modern sanctuary-like feel.
The Heliconian Hall at the Heliconian Club might feel chapel-like enough for you.
I expect that any church will limit what kind of ceremony you can conduct in their actual sanctuary. But many may have halls for rent that still have chapel-like features (stained/leaded glass windows, etc.), and they might be okay with you doing whatever you like in there.
posted by Kabanos at 1:01 PM on May 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
918 Bathurst used to be a Buddhist Temple, but is now a culture/event space. The main space still retains its modern sanctuary-like feel.
The Heliconian Hall at the Heliconian Club might feel chapel-like enough for you.
I expect that any church will limit what kind of ceremony you can conduct in their actual sanctuary. But many may have halls for rent that still have chapel-like features (stained/leaded glass windows, etc.), and they might be okay with you doing whatever you like in there.
posted by Kabanos at 1:01 PM on May 4, 2017 [2 favorites]
One's attached to a church, the other not, but just throwing them out there.
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
St. Lawrence Hall
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:06 PM on May 4, 2017
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
St. Lawrence Hall
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 4:06 PM on May 4, 2017
Sounds like you want a community center. Lots of these are sports orientated, but many have rentable spaces and kitchens. Your strictness for how 'church like' it has to be might be the limiting step for these.
A quick search turns up several that used to be churches.
posted by scodger at 5:44 PM on May 4, 2017
A quick search turns up several that used to be churches.
posted by scodger at 5:44 PM on May 4, 2017
St. George the Martyr, Anglican, downtown allowed my church to utilise their space for baptismal ceremonies. It didn't include any of their staff, it was just us. However this was many years ago.
Do you know any clergy? They (or their admin folks) would probably have better luck interacting with other churches than a layperson might.
I suspect being very open about exactly what the ceremony will include will be important. Most churches will want to ensure that you aren't doing anything they fundamentally disagree with. It's tricky, too, because most churches that are down with infant baptism are going to be iffy about your lack of Official Religious Involvement, and vice versa.
I know a few ministers who would almost certainly be okay with this in theory, but clergy don't​ always have much discretion over things like space rental.
posted by windykites at 6:55 PM on May 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Do you know any clergy? They (or their admin folks) would probably have better luck interacting with other churches than a layperson might.
I suspect being very open about exactly what the ceremony will include will be important. Most churches will want to ensure that you aren't doing anything they fundamentally disagree with. It's tricky, too, because most churches that are down with infant baptism are going to be iffy about your lack of Official Religious Involvement, and vice versa.
I know a few ministers who would almost certainly be okay with this in theory, but clergy don't​ always have much discretion over things like space rental.
posted by windykites at 6:55 PM on May 4, 2017 [1 favorite]
Unitarian congregations frequently rent space to people of other faiths for religious ceremonies (both one offs and long term arrangements). My local congregation rents space out for Quaker meetings.
Toronto has at least one Unitarian congreagation that I know of - there could be others.
http://www.firstunitariantoronto.org/weddings-and-ceremonies/rent-our-space
posted by Secret Sparrow at 8:19 PM on May 4, 2017
Toronto has at least one Unitarian congreagation that I know of - there could be others.
http://www.firstunitariantoronto.org/weddings-and-ceremonies/rent-our-space
posted by Secret Sparrow at 8:19 PM on May 4, 2017
seconding Enoch Turner Schoolhouse; it's a lovely space. There may be some restrictions on who can cater, since it's a city venue.
You may have difficulty getting anabaptist venues like Unitarian and Quaker meeting houses for a baptism. Toronto Quaker Meeting house isn't very traditional churchy in style, and they do allow outside caterers, but they share a kitchen with a daycare so anything handled there must be nut-free.
posted by scruss at 5:49 AM on May 5, 2017
You may have difficulty getting anabaptist venues like Unitarian and Quaker meeting houses for a baptism. Toronto Quaker Meeting house isn't very traditional churchy in style, and they do allow outside caterers, but they share a kitchen with a daycare so anything handled there must be nut-free.
posted by scruss at 5:49 AM on May 5, 2017
Just remembered that The Old Mill has a small chapel, and I'm sure they wouldn't care what ceremony to decided to perform in there. The downside is that for a reception you'd either have to book one of their rooms with catering, or reserve a section of the Old Mill Restaurant (or maybe even the bar?).
posted by Kabanos at 7:51 AM on May 5, 2017
posted by Kabanos at 7:51 AM on May 5, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks, everyone. I found a church willing to rent their sanctuary after I spoke to the reverend.
I did call 918 Bathurst (more than I want to spend) and the Heliconian Hall (never got back to me). Vic was actually one of the first places I considered, but at least for weddings they don't allow self-catering. Two of the godparents were actually married there.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:47 PM on May 12, 2017
I did call 918 Bathurst (more than I want to spend) and the Heliconian Hall (never got back to me). Vic was actually one of the first places I considered, but at least for weddings they don't allow self-catering. Two of the godparents were actually married there.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 10:47 PM on May 12, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by kyla at 12:44 PM on May 4, 2017 [1 favorite]