Community Use of Space
A quiet chapel, freely given for the meaningful thresholds of a life — a wedding, a baby blessing, a memorial.
The chapel is available to residents of Forest for the quiet, meaningful moments of a life — a wedding, a baby blessing, a memorial, or another rite of passage. It is not a party venue; it is a silent, healing space, and we keep it that way.
These are the gatherings that mark a threshold in a person's life — not the social celebrations in between. If that is what you have in mind, read on.
A Third Space
Freely offered to Forest Neighbors
Goodness doesn't have a price. We are a 501(c)(3), and our premise is that good things are free — we nourish because nourishing is nourishing. Where there are real costs — heat, cleaning, supplies, a caretaker's time — we make it clear and receive by donation what feels fair to keep the space in good working order for the next neighbor.
A few basic understandings
Keep it gentle
The chapel is a silent, healing space. A few simple understandings keep it that way for everyone who comes through.
- A quiet gathering, not a big shindig — keep the volume low and the mood gentle.
- Respect the silence of the space; keep speeches, toasts, and announcements brief.
- No amplified parties, DJ setups, or late-night dancing.
- Leave the space as you found it — clean, settled, and quiet.
- Coordinate the date and time with us in advance so the room is ready.
Neighbors in Hardin County
Wider doors, when the room is free
Residents of neighboring Hardin County are welcome to use the space by donation when it is available. Forest residents come first — this is our area of care — but we are glad to open the doors wider when the room is free.
Practice and rehearse here
A fine room to make music in
The sanctuary is a fine room to make music in — good acoustics, a tuned piano and pipe organ, and a quiet that lets you hear yourself. Two ways to use it:
- Faith communities: if your congregation wants a place to rehearse a choir, the space is yours by no-questions-asked donation when it's available. We welcome any tradition.
- Anyone who makes music: between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 15 through October 15, anyone can book the sanctuary to practice, on your own or with a small group. No fee; you simply book the time and follow the house rules.
The house rules keep the room what it is: quiet and reverence; no shoes in the sanctuary (leave them in the foyer); always start and end on time; and focus on the music. We're setting up a shared calendar so you can see what's open and claim a slot — reach out and we'll connect you to it.
See Music & Quiet for more on the musical life of the place.
We are not a commercial venue. The chapel is a quiet, healing room, and it stays that way.
Who this space isn't good for
This is a quiet, healing place. We keep speech to a minimum and let music and silence do the work. So the chapel isn't a fit for everything — and we want to say that plainly, with kindness, before you make the trip.
- Loud parties, DJ nights, or amplified celebrations.
- Events built around speeches, toasts, or long programs of talking.
- Large open-bar social gatherings or late-night dancing.
- Anything that needs the room to feel like a commercial venue.