Welcome to United First Parish Church
Church of the Presidents
A member of the Unitarian Universalist
Association of Congregations
HISTORIC TOURS OF THE CHURCH AND CRYPT JULY 1 TO NOVEMBER 11
For the first time since the COVID pandemic closed the doors to the United First Parish Church (UFPC) Visitor’s Program, the church and presidential crypt will be open for tours starting July 1, 2021. Tours will run daily from 11am-4pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday, and 12pm-4pm on Sunday (The church will be closed on Wednesdays). There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome as the program is funded through the gifts of visitors. No reservation is necessary, except for larger group tours.
In keeping with the church’s mission of being inclusive and its commitment to keeping everyone safe, COVID safety protocols will continue to remain in place during the 2021 tour season. All guests and docents will be asked to wear face masks during the tour and guests will be encouraged to maintain social distance from those not in their pod. In addition, the tours will flow one way through the building to further encourage social distancing and hand sanitizer will be provided at both the entrance and exit .
COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR UFPC FOR CHURCH YEAR 2021-2022
Adopted by the Board of Governors August 17, 2021
RECOMMENDATIONS
UFPC has created a series of practices to cover our activities during the Church Year that spans September, 2021 – June, 2022. These policies are subject to revision as needed based on the evolving circumstances of the ongoing pandemic and the best counsel from health professionals and best practices.
UFPC encourages all people to be mindful of any symptoms (fever, cough, loss of smell and/or taste, flu-like symptoms) and to stay home while they have these symptoms.
MASKS – POLICIES AND PRACTICES
Following CDC counsel, masks are not required in outdoor spaces.
All tour takers and tourists to the church are required to wear a mask.
Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status with the following exceptions for vaccinated people.
- Small group gatherings (e.g. UFPC Staff, Prison Book Program volunteers, History and Visitors Program volunteers, Board groups and committees) may go unmasked by mutual consent only if six feet of distance can be maintained. Masks will still be worn by staff and volunteers in all interactions with the general public.
- Speakers, solo performers, and worship leaders may go unmasked when speaking or singing to a group so long as they can maintain a six-foot social distance from the audience.
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SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
- Social distancing will be encouraged (such as blocking off every-other pew in the sanctuary, creating one way walking patterns, etc.), but will not be a requirement for every event. A certain amount of flexibility will be allowed for larger gatherings like Worship Services, Coffee Hours, and other larger group interactions.
- Food service should have designated people to safely serve and handle food OR provide food packaged in individual portions OR encourage “Bring Your Own…” options. (Masks may be removed during eating and drinking at tables if the sitters are vaccinated and social distancing of six feet can be maintained.)
- Maximize ventilation when possible, such as opening windows or doors.
MUSIC
Guidelines are taken from the UUA guidance for singing.
The UFPC Choir will sing as an ensemble from the Choir Loft of the Sanctuary.
Choir singing will be done with members masked and distanced.
All congregation singing will be done with masks on and distanced.
The total combined singing time during services (choir, congregants, and guest musicians) will be 30 minutes or less.
CAPACITY LIMITS FOR CHURCH SPACES (September 2021 – June 2022 subject to revision)
Sanctuary: 200 people. (50 percent capacity)
All other spaces will be organized in order to ensure approximately a 3 foot social distancing given the square footage of each room. This results in the following room capacities:
- Parish Hall: 40
- Parlor: 14
- Lobby: 10
- Ministers Study: 4
- Dining Room: 30
- Kitchen: 10
- Large Classroom: 14
- Early Childhood Classroom: 8
- Youth Room: 6
- Nursery: 6
- Crypt Corridor: 12
- Crypt: 6
OTHER
For requests not covered here, individuals and groups should speak with David Bousquin, UFPC Office and Property Manager, who will present each request to the ad hoc space use committee that will continue to function throughout the 2021-2022 Church Year.
David may be reached at:
Office and Property Manager
United First Parish Church
1306 Hancock Street
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169
617-842-1706
Daily Tours: The History and Visitors Program opens for the 2021 season on July 1 and closes on November 11. We will continue to evaluate our ability to provide tours in a Coronavirus-safe manner.
Tour Times: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sundays: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Wednesdays: closed.
We are wheelchair accessible! We have an access ramp and automatic door opening system that allows folks to safely enter our building. We have an elevator available to allow our differently-abled visitors to reach all levels of the building, including our crypts. We also have an ADA-accessible restroom available to all visitors for our visitors program or those who come to our services on Sunday. We have a wheelchair available for use on-site if you find yourselves needing one after you arrive.
