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Weddings & Funerals

white feathery flowers

Weddings and funerals are important times that provide opportunities to come together in community with compassion and hope, to celebrate the strength and beauty of love, and to support and care for one another. These rituals honor times of transition for individuals, families, and the community, and invite us into the sacred work of sharing our vulnerability and our humanity while inviting the presence and support of the community and the Divine.

The church offers two beautiful and sacred venues for these special occasions. The unique Gothic-style sanctuary was built in 1865 and is sheathed in brownstone. The stained-glass windows and ornately carved woodwork are a beautiful backdrop for these sacred life events. The sanctuary seats up to eight hundred people and is handicap accessible. The space has dimmable lighting, an Infrared Hearing System, and the capacity for livestream.

Located east of the main sanctuary, Gross Memorial Chapel is an intimate and sacred space that seats approximately one hundred people. The refurbished pipe organ provides a magnificent sound that fills the space. The chapel is also handicap accessible, and movable chairs within the space create flexibility for various seating arrangements.

If you would like more information about making arrangements for your wedding or would like to learn more about planning a funeral or memorial service, please reach out to Denise Doran at ddoran@ahcc.org or 860.216.9818.

Funerals

As people of faith, we believe that preparing a meaningful, respectful, personal service of remembrance is a sacred and healing activity of love, faith, and community. We feel a deep privilege in journeying with individuals and families as one’s end of life approaches or arrives. 

It is never too early to consider your hopes and desires for the end of your life and to share these wishes with those you love and trust. The ministers are available to speak with you about your wishes, as well as provide resources for important conversations with your loved ones and to help document your hopes and priorities. This booklet is a resource that you can edit and share with the church and with those closest to you. 

The following addresses some of the questions most often asked:

  • In addition to holding funeral and memorial services in the sanctuary or chapel, more intimate services can be held outdoors in the Memorial Garden. To learn more about the Memorial Garden, please click here.
  • Being a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church family is not a requirement to hold a memorial service here.
  • The clergy officiate services, and will meet with you to discuss details of the service to ensure it is meaningful and personal. The clergy are open to discussing involving clergy and spiritual leaders from other faith communities.
  • There are professional musicians and soloists available to add musical elements to your wedding or funeral service.
  • AHCC has a team available to support many technology needs, including the use of screens, livestream, and recording.
  • We can provide you with a list of local florists.
  • There is reception space available and can provide you with a list of local caterers.
Weddings

Congratulations! Marriage is a gift from God, and serves as a reminder of our sacred dependence upon one another and our calling to love generously, unselfishly, and abundantly. The exchanging of lifelong vows before God is truly a sacred and joyful act, and we thoroughly enjoy the privilege of being a part of that blessed occasion.

The following addresses some of the questions most often asked:

  • Inspired by the radical hospitality of Jesus Christ and as an Open and Affirming congregation in the United Church of Christ, our church celebrates marriage equality and honors the diversity of individuals and relationships.
  • We celebrate and welcome interfaith relationships.
  • Being a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church family is not a requirement to be married here.
  • While there is no requirement to take a formal pre-marital class, the clergy will meet with you to discuss options for pre-marital counseling and details of your wedding to ensure it is meaningful and personal.
  • AHCC’s clergy officiate wedding services at AHCC, and are open to discussing involving clergy and spiritual leaders from other faith communities.
  • There are professional musicians and soloists available to add musical elements to your wedding or funeral service.*
  • AHCC has a team available to support many technology needs, including the use of screens, livestream, and recording.*
  • The church does not provide reception space, videographers, photographers, flowers, or space for bridal parties to dress before the service.

*Fees apply for the use of the space and for some of the items listed above.

To reserve the space and discuss fees, please contact Denise Doran at ddoran@ahcc.org or 860.216.9818.