Hire St Mary's, Wallingford
The church is committed to making St Mary’s a focus for community activity in Wallingford. It provides a flexible, pleasant, modern and safe environment in which to welcome a wide range of individuals and groups in the Wallingford area. From Monday to Saturday it is available for hire both during the day and in the evening.
Facilities
The versatile interior can be laid out in many different ways and is suitable for public performances, large meetings and lectures. The Nave Area, North and South Aisles all have level access, and seating that can be moved / rearranged; 220 people can be seated without a restricted view. When chairs are stacked away, a large open space becomes available, suitable for exhibitions, displays of goods and social gatherings.
The South Aisle is fitted with a small kitchen. This part of the building can be set out with tables to be used as a refreshment area.
Portable screens are available to separate any part of the nave or side aisles into smaller areas for activity groups that require privacy and security.
The Tower Room is accessed via a staircase near the north door and will seat up to 20 people. This room has chairs, folding tables, a water supply and good natural light. It can be used flexibly for meetings, social gatherings and activity groups. There is no disabled access to this part of the building.
The Choir Vestry is an enclosed space with level access. It is suitable for small meetings, social gatherings or group activities of 15–20 people.
The organ and piano are available when booked in advance (see clause 13 in Conditions for Use).
Washroom facilities are included in the hire, behind a heavy door. These services include an accessible toilet, where baby changing facilities can be found.
Fire Escape Routes: you will receive a copy of the fire evacuation procedures and the Lettings Supervisor will make you aware of all fire exit doors and extinguisher equipment either before the day of the event or on the day itself. You must liaise with him/her to arrange to brief your stewards/front of house staff on the procedures to be used in the event of fire or any situation that requires evacuation of the building.
Lettings Procedures
Any enquiry about possible use of the church must be addressed to the Lettings Administrator via the form below, giving as much information as possible about the event(s). This will be referred to the Rector for approval.
If the request is approved, the Lettings Administrator will send you an email with the charges for the hire, the booking form, our Risk Assessment, Fire Evacuation Procedures and Conditions for Hire.
You will return a signed copy of the booking form with your Risk Assessment and a signed copy of Appendix 1 of the Conditions for Hire if children or vulnerable adults are involved in the event. The booking is not definite until the signed booking form is received by the Lettings Administrator; this is seen as an undertaking to proceed with the hire and an agreement of the charge.
Please note that the minimum hiring period is two hours and full payment is to be made 7 days in advance of the booking. Representatives of the church shall, at all times, have free access to the premises for the purposes of inspection and we reserve the right to cancel any letting. The sub-letting of any part of the building is prohibited.
Regular bookings are welcomed. A Regular Hirer is defined as a one who has six or more events during the calendar year. The Rector is consulted prior to agreeing any such commitment. The first two events for a regular hirer will be charged at the full rate, thereafter at a reduced rate if the hirer seems satisfactory. Payment is to be made in advance on a quarterly or term time arrangement.
