Old Christ Church Events

Completed in 1832, Old Christ Church is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in Florida, serving the Pensacola community as an Episcopal Church, public library and museum. The building was also occupied by federal troops during the Civil War. The restored church provides a beautiful backdrop for weddings, concerts and speaking events. Old Christ Church can be rented for weddings, concerts, and educational lectures and programs.

For public guided tours, please visit the Plan Your Visit page. 

Rental Rates:

DayTimePrice
Monday - Thursday Available beginning at 3pm $990.00, plus tax
Friday Available beginning at 3pm $1,210.00, plus tax
Saturday - Sunday Available anytime $1,210.00, plus tax

*All bookings include a refundable $300.00 security deposit due two months prior to the event. This is in addition to the rental fee listed above. 

**Insurance is required for all events at all UWF Historic Trust properties. 

  • How can we pay the rental fee and when is it due?

    Once the Event Coordinator has received a completed rental agreement, they will contact you about making payments. The first half of the rental fee plus tax is due once the rental agreement has been received. The remaining half of the rental fee plus the $300.00 refundable security deposit is due two month prior to the event. Payments can be made with a credit card or by check. The Event Coordinator will provide additional payment instructions after the rental agreement has been received.

  • What does the security deposit cover and is it refundable?

    A refundable security deposit is required for all UWF Historic Trust venues and it is due two months prior to the event. The security deposit will be refunded after the event provided no damages have occurred, the venue is left clean and in acceptable condition, all rules and requirements are followed, and time limits are not exceeded. An invoice will be sent following the event in the case that damages, cleaning fees, or additional hours exceed $300.00.

  • Do we need to obtain event insurance?

    Yes, for each venue that is rented, liability insurance must be provided to cover major damages that may happen during the event. This type of insurance can be purchased from many different insurance companies. Proof of insurance must be submitted to the Event Coordinator at historicevents@uwf.edu at least two months prior to the event. Additional information on the insurance requirements can be found in the rental agreement. 

  • What is the cancellation policy?

    The 50% initial payment – less a $200.00 administration fee – is refundable should you cancel your reservation with a written notice via email to historicevents@uwf.edu at least six months prior to your scheduled event. Cancellation request submitted less than six months prior to the event will not be refunded. Venue rentals are not transferable to other venues or dates.  

 

Capacity:

Old Christ Church can accommodate approximately 150 guests. 

Rental Period:

Old Christ Church is rented in 4-hour time blocks. For weddings, 1 hour can be used for a rehearsal the day before or a few days before and the other 3 hours for the ceremony. If available, additional time can be added to the rental. Requests for additional time must be submitted a minimum of two months prior to the event. 

Pfeiffer House

The Pfeiffer House is included in the booking of the church. The house is located behind the church. The front room of the house is available to the bride for finishing touches and to put on the gown. The restrooms at the back of the house are available for use by wedding guests. 

There is also a small room to the side of the stage in the church that can be used by the groom and/or officiate. 

Furnishings, Candles, Flowers, and Decor

Because furnishings are either original to the building or are replicas or original pieces, they may not be moved. The altar cannot be changed. All items must remain on the altar, and decorations or other items may not be placed on the altar. The chairs on the stage cannot be moved or sat on. Although candles may be used as part of the design, no open flame of any kind may be used, including unity candles. More information on decoration restrictions and requirements can be found in the venue rental agreement. 

Music and Musical Instruments:

Acoustic music is best suited for the building. Amplified music is generally too loud. The church does not have a PA system. There is a Clavinova in the church that can be used for weddings, but a pianist is not provided. No other musical instruments or equipment are provided. If musical instruments are brought into the church, rubber tips or mats must be used under all instruments to prevent scratching the floors. 

Food and Drinks:

Food and drinks are not permitted in the church or the Pfeiffer House.

 

Booking and Contact Information:

For booking information or to schedule a site visit, please contact our Event Coordinator:

 

Availability:

Below is the Old Christ Church rental availability calendar. Old Christ Church is available for rent beginning at 3pm Monday through Friday and anytime on Saturday and Sunday. Please note that there can be multiple events at the church in a single day. If the calendar shows a set time frame (ex. 2pm to 6pm) as busy there can be another event that day before 2pm or after 6pm. If the calendar shows that the church is busy all day then no other events can be added for that day.

  • Old Christ Church Rental Availability Calendar

    The current rental period ends on December 31, 2025. The rental calendar for 2026 will open in January 2025. The calendar view for any dates after 2025 is not accurate and should not be used for planning events.

    Requests must be submitted at least one month prior to the event. 

    *Dates are not held without a completed rental agreement and initial payment. Please contact us at historicevents@uwf.edu to confirm availability and the start the reservation process. 

 

Photos of Old Christ Church:

An imagine of the interior of Old Christ Church

Bride and groom in front of Old Christ Church

Photo of the Pfeiffer House:

A photo of the exterior of the Pfeiffer House.