St. Mary's Community Music Outreach Program
Mission and Facility Use Information
COMMUNITY BUILDING USE IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD DUE TO COVID19.
The Community Music Outreach Program of St. Mary's Episcopal Church was established in 2015 as a core ministry of the congregation. to enrich and serve the community of Utah County by providing a venue in which individuals and groups, and particularly students at Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah Valley University (UVU), can practice, rehearse, and express their gifts and talents in vocal and instrumental music. This purpose is based in our Baptismal promise to “proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ,” and in our Affirmation to “care about the communities in which we live…” This ministry utilizes the existing resources of St. Mary's Church, in particular the church-building with its moderate scale and superb acoustics, making use of the physical location in downtown Provo, more than adequate parking, and a parish hall in which receptions and lectures may be held.
Tradition. There is a long and honorable tradition in Anglicanism that the church (as physical entity and as human fellowship) exists to serve the community in which it sits. The practice of using church-buildings for public musical performance (and public lectures and meetings) is one result of that belief. In developing a community music ministry we understand that this is an appropriate expression of Anglican (Episcopal) pastoral care for the community. Also, there is a long and honorable history in Anglicanism of the important role music plays in liturgy and worship. The great body of choral works written for choirs is evidence of this, and especially the tradition of choirs of men and boys. Two specific Anglican musical traditions are Choral Evensong and the seasonal Service of Lessons and Carols at Christmas. Anglican hymnody is used not only for praise but also for the building of community. Music is an essential part of the Anglican spiritual tradition.
The Community Music Outreach Program is envisioned as a ministry of outreach of the congregation of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, a Utah nonprofit corporation and congregation of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. The ministry is therefore operated under the authority of the Priest-in-Charge and Bishop's Committee of St. Mary's Church, as defined by Utah State law, the General Canons of The Episcopal Church, and the canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah.
About the Building. The Church was completed and dedicated in 1908. It is a solid brick structure designed in the form of an English village church. In the 1970's the as part of a renovation the carpeting was removed, and a bamboo floor was laid. Because of the solid surfaces the interior of the Church Building has excellent acoustics, especially for single voices and instruments, as well as small ensembles of singer and/or musicians.
Accommodations. The Church Sanctuary has seating in the pews for 100 persons. The Church features a Baroque-style organ, and a Kawai grand piano. Microphones are available if needed. The Chancel has, so far, held as many as thirty singers for choir rehearsals, and has comfortably accommodated twenty singers for performances. The Parish Hall is a large open room with circular tables that can hold 70 seated around the tables, or around 100 arranged in rows. A kitchen is available adjacent to the Parish Hall for food service. The Library Meeting Room has a large board room table with room for 12 around the table. An additional 12 seats can be set up on the other sides of the room. The Side Chapel is a smaller space with an upright piano that can be used to warm up and tune musicians, as well as to hold small meetings of up to 10 people. The upstairs of the facility has two larger classroom spaces that can hold up to 25 people each, and a children's play area with toys and books that can be used, but there is no elevator to this part of the facility.
Fees. As a non-profit congregation incorporated under the State of Utah and relevant Internal Revenue Service regulations, St. Mary's Church may not charge a fee for the use of its facilities, and may not allow for-profit entities to use the church property for business purposes. We do request a donation be made to St. Mary's Church relevant to the size of the event being held to cover our costs for utilities maintenance, and administration. These costs average about $25 per hour of use.
Scheduling. To explore the possibility of using St. Mary’s Church for rehearsals, recitals, or other performances, please contact the Church Administrator, using the form on this page, and make an appointment to visit.
