Visitation Polices for Tours of the Church Buildings and Grounds
St. Peter’s Parish Church Policies for Visitation of the Church Buildings and Grounds
PURPOSE
St. Peter’s Parish Church is an historical Episcopal Church, located in St. Peter’s Parish, NewKentCounty. Its history and beauty make it a popular destination not only for members of the parish and other residents of New Kent County, but also for those traveling through New Kent County who wish to experience this unique setting. More importantly, St. Peter’s ParishChurch is also an active Episcopal Church whose mission is, together with all who share a commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, to be a community in the Anglican Tradition that worships, nurtures and gives for the spread of the kingdom of God. As such, the vestry of St. Peter’s ParishChurch has adopted the following policies for those who wish visit the buildings and grounds for purposes other than religious services, ceremonies or events. These policies are designed to welcome those who desire to experience this sacred space that has served generations, while at the same time protecting it for the generations to come.
POLICIES
1) St. Peter’s Parish Church welcomes all people to visit our buildings and grounds regardless of race, ethnicity, faith, age, gender, sexual orientation or sexual identity.
2) The buildings and grounds of St. Peter’s Parish Church are private property, owned by the Diocese of Virginia. All persons visiting the premises do so at their own risk, and, by coming onto the grounds or into the buildings of St. Peter’s Parish Church, agree to indemnify and hold harmless any member or organization of St. Peter’s Parish Church or the Diocese of Virginia. This policy number 2) shall be posted in the parish house with a copy available to the members of the tour group.
3) All visitors shall comply with this policy and a failure to do so will make the non-complying visitor a trespasser.
4) Smoking or use of tobacco products, vaping and/or the use of E-cigarettes is prohibited in any church building or on church grounds..
5) The possession or consumption of alcohol on church property is limited by the Diocese of Virginia’s Policy on the use of Alcohol.
6) Any unaccompanied person or group wishing to visit any of the church buildings must make prior arrangements through the parish administrator who will schedule a date and time, and arrange for a member of the parish to be present.
7) All guided tours of any size, conducted by persons or organizations not affiliated with St. Peter’s ParishChurch, must be scheduled through the parish administrator.
8) Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rate (GVWR) of greater than 10,000 lbs. are prohibited on church property. This prohibition shall not apply to vehicles used by emergency responders, vehicles making deliveries to the church, vehicles owned by NewKentCounty or the Commonwealth of Virginia, and vehicles used by any person or business in connection with any work being performed on the property of the church.
9) While there is no set charge to visit the grounds of St. Peter’s Parish Church, for guided tours of its buildings, donations are both customaryandencouragedas follows:
a. Groups of 10 or less people accompanied by a member of the St. Peter’s parish with prior arrangements made with the parish administrator may make any voluntary contribution.
b. Groups of people not accompanied by a parish member and requiring a tour guide, the following donations are strongly recommended:
1. 1-10: $10.00 per person
2. 11-25: $200.00
3. 26-50: $400.00
c. Any other group tours shall be discussed in advance with the parish administrator who shall confer with a warden, if available, or otherwise with a member of the vestry to establish reasonable provisions for the tour.
No person, group, or organization may charge a commercial fee to arrange for others to visit the grounds of St. Peter’s Parish Church or to take a guided tour of its buildings, and any person, group or organization doing so is prohibited from entering upon any parish property.
