St. John United Church of Christ

920 East Gravois Ave, St. Clair, MO 63077

“Never place a period where God has placed a comma,

                God Is Still Speaking . . . . . . .”

Weddings at St. John are open to the general public, but must first be approved by the St. John minister and/or St. John Church Council.

 

What is a wedding at St. John?

A wedding at St. John United Church of Christ is a service of worship.  In any service of worship, God is the focus of attention.  The bride and groom come before God to make their marriage covenant, and to seek God’s blessing as they give thanks for the love they find in each other.

 

Rehearsal

If you are planning a small wedding a rehearsal may not be necessary.  However, if you are planning a larger wedding, a rehearsal should be considered.  This should be discussed with the minister.

 

Music

The bride and groom can provide a musician to play the piano or organ, the current St. John musician can be paid to play if he/she is available, or music can be played on CD through the sound system.  Music selection will be discussed with the minister.

 

Flowers & Equipment

Flowers are the choice of the wedding party.  A kneeler and pair of candelabras are available for use.  Aisle candles and additional decorations may be ordered from the florist.

 

Pictures

Pictures of the wedding party may be taken before or after the ceremony.  Please limit pictures during the service of worship, and no pictures are allowed during prayers.

 

Use of Building and Property

The bride and groom will discuss with the minister their exact needs of the building.  The building must be left in the same condition of cleanliness in which it was found.  Absolutely no alcohol is allowed on church property, and smoking is in designated areas only, which are located outside of the building at entryways.  No throwing of rice or birdseed is allowed, because there have been extreme messes in the past.

 

Charges

There is no charge for active members of at least one year, although a monetary donation may be given to the church and/or the officiating minister.  For non-members the following charges apply.

 

There is a $300 charge for use of the building and grounds.  This includes use of the building for rehearsal the day before, and use of the building the day of the wedding.  Exact times are to be discussed with the minister.  This charge also includes a wedding organizer, who will be on the premises to open and close the church, to help operate such things as the sound system and heating/cooling, and to help organize the wedding party during the rehearsal and wedding.  If at anytime the wedding organizer witnesses forbidden activities, including but not limited to the ones described herein, the wedding organizer reserves the right to ask any or all of the wedding party to leave the premises immediately.

 

The fellowship hall can host a reception of up to about 110 people.  There is an additional charge of $100 for use of the fellowship hall for reception.  The reception is to be no longer than four hours, and no alcohol is allowed.

 

The minister is to be paid $150.  This charge includes up to four pre-marriage conversation sessions with the minister, preparation and leadership of the rehearsal and ceremony, and the solemnizing of the marriage certificate.