Features
Space planning
The seating area accommodates 270 people. It is divided into three sections that extend the length of the room: a wide central section flanked on both sides by an aisle and a narrower section. Each section has 17 rows of wooden pew benches with seat cushions and full backs.
The seating area has no center aisle. For weddings, the bride and groom must enter and exit through one of the two side aisles or through the exterior door to the left of the stage.
The stage is roughly 17'4" x 8'6" and rises 2'6" above floor level. A piano occupies 7'8" x 5'2" of this space, but may be temporarily moved by an approved piano mover at your expense. A 4'9" wide area (raised 10") fronts the stage and is bordered by an altar rail.
There is no back-of-house/backstage area. For discreet exits or changes, an 8'4" x 8'4" space before the pews at stage left may be used for a free-standing curtain/screen if it is unneeded for access. Alternatively, performers may exit to the courtyard using the exterior door to the left of the stage/dais.
The balcony may be used by performers (with a signed release) and for production needs like decor, sound, and lighting tech, but cannot be used for guest seating due to modern railing height requirements.
The restrooms are located on the lower level down two half-flights of stairs. There is one men's and one women's restroom, each shared by both performers and guests. The women's restroom has 3 sinks, one standard stall, and one oversized stall. The men's restroom has 2 sinks, 1 standard stall, and 2 urinals. A separate room can be available as a dressing room for performers.
Accessibility
The sanctuary and restrooms are only accessible via a flight of stairs and, unfortunately, lack ADA access due to limitations in our historic structure and facade. For details, see the Exterior and Vestibule section.
Staging and decor
Freestanding structures such as screens may be used on approval.
8'-high slim wooden pillars provided by the church can optionally be attached to the pews in the center seating area at roughly 12' intervals to support garlands and other lightweight decor.
Lightweight items can be attached to our railing, pews, and other wooden fixtures using zip ties or cord. No nails or adhesive are allowed.
While decor and staging can often remain in place during days with no scheduled events, all items must be removed from the seating and stage before our weekly Sunday service. (A small temporary storage area downstairs may be available for some multi-day events.)
Technical specifications
House lighting is provided by an elegant 5'6"-diameter, 12-arm brass candelabra chandelier; 10 brass candelabra sconces; and recessed overhead lighting. All lights are electric and lack a dimmer switch.
Stage lighting is provided by a three-point placement of recessed overhead lighting to the rear of the stage and two racks of semi-stationary floodlights placed on the balconies on both sides of the stage.
In-house sound is provided by a set of stage microphones and wall-mounted speakers.
Video recording and livestreaming can be coordinated with our in-house AV technician for some events for an additional charge. Our equipment includes:
- Two 1080p (Full HD) PTZ Optics video cameras with a switch to change between the cameras in real-time. One camera mounted at the back center of the church captures wide and close shots of the seating area and stage. A second camera mounted on the balcony captures profile views of stage right.
- A set of wireless handheld Shure microphones, a Shure podium microphone, a pair of AKG piano microphones, and a pair of AKG room microphones.
Our organ is an Ernest Skinner electro-pneumatic pipe organ with 2 manuals, 30 registers, 18 stops, and 20 ranks.
Our piano is a Steinway Grand piano.
Services
If you would like for Rev. Stefanie Bennett to perform a marriage ceremony, please email johnstreetchurch@gmail.com.
We can refer pipe organ and piano accompanists as well as other classical, religious, and folk musicans and vocalists.