Rental Information

Community Church of Boston has affordable, comfortable function space for rent, for daily, evening, weekend, weekly, or longer-term rentals.

We have spaces for all occasions – events, parties, classes, meetings, reunions, films, galleries, book fairs, craft shows, theater rehearsals/performances, etc.

We rent to businesses, individuals and nonprofit organizations, and provide discounts to grassroots groups requesting church co-sponsorship.

Our spaces offer a spectacular view overlooking Copley Square in Boston, including:

Rental Application
Below we describe our rental spaces. You can request a Rental Application from the office manager Mark Laskey by calling (617) 266.6710 or by emailing him at info@commchurch.org.

Our Building & Rental Spaces

The Community Church of Boston is an historic 5-story brick building located at 565 Boylston Street in Copley Square. Our church has two floors of rental space available.

Lothrop Auditorium is a hardwood-floor, 1,200 square-foot space on the 2nd floor of the building, accessible by elevator or stair. It has a picture window overlooking Copley Square and can accommodate up to 125 individuals (seated auditorium-style) or 65 individuals (seated at tables). There are two “step-up” bathrooms in the Lothrop Auditorium (not wheelchair accessible). A grand piano, PA/sound system, theatre seats and other amenities are available for use. The Lothrop Auditorium is air-conditioned.

The Guatemala Room was named after the sanctuary the church provided in the 1980’s to a Guatemalan political refugee. Located on the 3rd floor, it is a 1,000 square-foot space with hardwood floors and a picture window overlooking Copley Square. The Guatemala Room can accommodate up to 50 individuals (seated auditorium style) or 35 individuals (seated at tables). There is one “step-up” bathroom (not wheelchair accessible) on this floor. An upright piano and other amenities are available for use. The Guatemala Room is not air-conditioned in summer.

Meeting Space/Small Functions. Groups may rent a portion of the Lothrop Auditorium or Guatemala Room for small meetings, classes, functions, etc.

Rental Rates

Space

Capacity

Standard
Rate

Non-Profit
Rate

Co-Sponsor
Rate

Lothrop Auditorium (2nd Floor)

125 max.

$750/day
$75/hour

$300/day
$30/hour

$200/day
$20/hour

Guatemala Room (3rd. Floor)

60 max.

$400/day
$40/hour

$150/day
$15/hour

$100/day
$10/hour

Small Meetings or Functions (partial use of
Lothrop Auditorium or Guatemala Room)

25 max.

$25/mtg

$15/mtg

$10/mtg

Deposit and Payment

A $25.00 deposit is required upon submission of the rental application. The deposit will be returned if the rental application is denied. The deposit will be held and applied to the rental fee if the request is approved. In the event of cancellation, the deposit fee will be retuned only if cancellation occurs with 72 hours advance notice.

Standard Rate is for businesses, individuals and political candidates.

Non-Profit Rate is for educational, cultural and other nonprofit organizations

Co-Sponsor Rate is for groups, events and organizations that are supported by Community Church of Boston. This rate requires a vote of the congregation’s Board of Directors, and listing the church as a co-sponsor in all publicity materials.

For weekend, weekly, monthly or long-term rental rates, please contact the church.

Custodial Fees

In addition to the rental rates listed above, there is a required Custodial Fee of $50 for all events in the Lothrop Auditorium or Guatemala Room. This fee covers on-site supervision and limited custodial time to open and close the building, set-up, clean-up and ensure that on-site emergencies are handled.

Minimum (open/close/cleaning) $50 per use
Special, additional preparation $15 per hour
Over-time (late or extended hours) $15 per half-hour

Amenities

Kitchen Facilities. Full cooking/kitchen facilities are located on the 4th floor and will soon be relocated to the 3rd floor, accessible by stair or elevator. $25.

Coffee/tea service. We can provide coffee/tea service for $10.

Tables and Chairs. The church has twelve square tables that seat four individuals each. We have three large banquet-style tables that seat eight individuals each or be used for buffet serving. We have approximately 100 folding chairs. Tables and chairs are available free of charge in either the Lothrop Auditorium or Guatemala Room.

Theatre-style seating. For performances, films and other such events, we have 45 moveable “theatre-style” seats available in the Lothrop Auditorium, free of charge.

Coat racks. We have two moveable coat racks available free of charge.

PA/Sound system. We have two standing amplifiers, two microphones with stands, and cassette recording equipment. There will be a small fee to use this equipment. Groups wishing to use the sound system/PA must stipulate this in their rental agreement, and the church must approve.

Podium and stand. There is a 1×10-foot riser and podium available free of charge.

Video projector and movie/slide screen. We have a video projector for VHS videos or that can be connected to a computer for slide-show and web-based presentations. There will be a small fee charged to use this equipment. Groups wishing to use the video projector/screen must stipulate this in their rental agreement, and the church must approve.

Pianos. We have a grand piano in the Lothrop Auditorim (2nd floor) and an upright piano in the Guatemala Room (3rd floor). Both are available to groups at no charge. Use must be stipulated and approved in the rental contract.

* The use and cost of any of the above items must be stipulated in the rental contract.

Pre-payment policy – Individuals and groups renting the Lothrop Auditorium or Guatemala Room must pre-pay in full before using the space . There can be no exceptions. The $25 deposit must be received in advance as stipulated above. Full payment for the space must be received on or before the event date or the space will not be available for use. Thank you for your cooperation.

Co-Sponsorship

Through co-sponsorship of an event or organization, the Community Church of Boston supports groups, projects and organizations that align with our social justice purpose and mission.

Co-sponsorship requires approval from the church’s Board of Directors. Co-sponsorship provides groups with a discounted rental rate, and the church asks that it be listed as a co-sponsor in a group’s publicity materials. Groups must request co-sponsorship on their rental application.

Parking & Transportation

The church is minutes from public transportation: we are a 2-minute walk from the Orange Line (Back Bay) and the Green Line (Copley) station. We are located across from several bus lines in Copley Square. On-street metered parking is very limited in this busy neighborhood. Garage parking is two blocks away.