Why rent a church anyway?
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There are many reasons why someone may want to rent a church space for their event. In just about any American city, churches tend to have the most beautiful architecture you’ll find. They boast vaulted ceilings, stunningly colorful stained-glass windows, detailed stone and wood carvings, and other gorgeous features.
People invest huge amounts of time, energy, and resources into making these spaces beautiful. And, these structures often hold a lot of history within their walls.
That’s why hosting an important event at a church can be such an appealing idea. And if the space has religious meaning to you, particularly if you’re having a wedding there, that’s also a major factor. There are few locations grander — or even awe-inspiring — than a church.
Are those church bells ringing for your big day? Then read more about how much it costs to rent a wedding venue!
Events ideal to host at a church
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There are many, many events that can work perfectly within a church’s walls. If a church atmosphere is special to someone, they may rent a church to host an event like a family reunion. Many people of course hold religious events in churches. But churches can also host secular events, too.
Plenty of other social events, from work parties to birthday gatherings, can also take place in a church. Their beautiful architecture adds a stately feel to any occasion. And, many churches also have helpful spaces like kitchens, coat rooms, several bathrooms on hand, and even outdoor spaces. These are features that make any event so much easier to pull off.
And of course, pews mean plenty of seating for all your guests! You definitely won’t have to worry about ensuring there’s enough seating when you book a church for your event.
Aside from social functions, you may need to rent a church for a film or photoshoot. In fact, many productions find the immense space, solemnity, and lasting beauty of churches ideal for their projects.
Read what’s like an Airbnb for film locations to learn more!
How much does it cost to rent a church?
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Clearly, there isn’t just one answer to the question, “How much does it cost to rent a church?” It depends considerably on where you’re renting. If you’re looking to rent a church in a large, populated city with a high cost of living, expect to pay more. Conversely, if you live in a smaller and more affordable city, the price tag will likely be lower.
Also, does the church have high historical value? If it’s a church steeped in history, whether urban or rural, that will affect the price. If it was recently constructed, that will also make a difference. Renovations are costly and make the space more appealing to renters. This too will be reflected in the price.
Finally, is the space in very high demand, with lots of events taking place there? If so, you can expect to pay more for the privilege to use it (a basic rule of economics: as demand goes up, so does the cost).
Need a huge space to rent for an event? Then also read about how much it costs to rent a hall!
What types of churches can I rent on Peerspace?
![Converted Church in Fitzroy](https://www.peerspace.com/resources/wp-content/uploads/vic-Converted-Church-Fitzroy-1024x681.jpeg)
Let’s discuss the range of churches available to rent, their amenities, and their prices. That way, you have a better idea of what to expect before you start your search.
More affordable church rentals
On the low end, you can rent a more traditional church and community meeting space. It’s near downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is ideal for a medium-sized event with a capacity of 49 guests. This church is less ornate than most but still offers pew seating and a raised stage. And at just $45 per hour, it’s easily one of the most affordable venues in the Columbus area, church or not.
This modern church in a more costly location like Queens, NY, will cost you just a bit more at $125 per hour. It’s also more spacious, with room for 100 guests, and boasts multiple levels, a sanctuary, A/V equipment, and outdoor space.
And check out this informative review from a Peerspace user who booked this church for a production. “We had a great shoot in this beautiful church. I am so glad we found it. Anthony is very friendly and accommodating. Local amenities are good, and by New York standards parking is actually a breeze!”
Pricier church rentals
For just a couple of hundred dollars an hour, you can book a church with historic architecture and modern style. As an example, check out this converted church in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia (pictured above). It’s a residential conversion that boasts a center room surrounded by stone walls, stained glass windows, and a peaked roof. The room leads to a spacious open rooftop that offers regional views. All this for just A$250 per hour!
But prices can also run much higher. This beautiful church sanctuary in Pasadena, TX is a modern mega-church space yet still holds the charm of its original purpose. It has space for 850 guests and is $300 an hour. The church has beautiful stained glass windows, a large raised stage with a pulpit, and dozens of pews.
A classic, historic church in a location with a higher cost of living like the other Pasadena, Pasadena, CA, will cost you around $425 per hour. Keep in mind that this church includes the use of tables, chairs, projectors, speakers, a stage, and an outdoor area. And people are willing to pay a higher price for more space and amenities.
Just read this review from a happy renter of the Pasadena historic church we just mentioned: “This space was amazing! It includes lots of tables and chairs, a microphone, sound system, and projector. We used it for a memorial for our friend and it was perfect. Nancy was super nice and met us when we came to check out the space. Chris was the staff member there on the day and he went above and beyond to help us out and was really friendly. Definitely recommend the space!”
And something like this church for dinners in events in London, England is £800 per hour. It is a more grand and decorative church than others on this list and has space for 250 guests. This church is as ideal for productions as it is for events, thanks to its high ceilings, gorgeous chandliers, and unique checkerboard floor.
Price considerations
On average, renting a small chapel that can accommodate up to 100 people will cost around $200 to $400 for about three to five hours. A mid-size church that holds as many as 200 to 250 guests will average between $600 and $800 for this same duration.
And the largest churches — cathedrals, typically, which can accommodate 300 to 400 guests — may cost about $3,000 for three to five hours of rental time, or even more.
Have you ever wondered how much it costs to rent a restaurant for a night? We tackle that very question right here!