FAQ's for Newcomers

Avon Congregational Church
Avon, CT

Where are you located?

  • We are located in the center of Avon on the corner of Route 44 (Main Street) and Route 10 (Hopmeadow Street/Simsbury Road) across the street from O'Neills car dealership. Click Map/Parking in the left frame of this page. The church consists of two connected structures: the historic Meeting House and the new Parish Center.

Where do I Park?

There are several parking areas:

  • On the east side of the church (Route 10 side), are spaces across from the church near the post office. Take the first right onto Enford Street and an immediate right into the parking area. There is a pedestrian walkway and walkway crossing Route 10 which leads to short paths to the back portico and front steps of the church.

  • There is handicapped parking in "the circle" right along the east side of the church along Route 10.

  • On the west side of the church there are parking spaces behind the shops and in the First and Last Restaurant parking area. Enter this area from any of the several driveways along Route 44 (West Main Street), or from Woodford Ave (runs from Route 10 to the back of First and Last). There are handicapped spaces near the rear entrances.

  • Spaces along the fence are reserved for senior members of the church even though they are not marked handicapped.

  • Click Map/Parking in the left frame of this page for a visual depiction.

Where is the Sanctuary?

  • The Sanctuary in the Historic Meeting House is most directly accessed by the front steps.

  • If you enter the church from the rear Portico, walk straight ahead and you will see a slightly inclined ramp that leads into the back doors of the Sanctuary.

  • If you enter the church from the west side behind the shops, walk straight down the hallway, and you will see the slightly inclined ramp that enters into the back doors of the Sanctuary.

Is the church handicapped accessible?

  • Yes! Special attention was given to accessibility when the new Parish Center was built. There a easily accessible entrances from both the back Portico (parking in The Circle on Route 10) and the parking lot entrance behind the shops. The bathrooms along the main hall are easily accessible. There are slight ramps from the main hallway into the Sanctuary accessed from the Main Hallway. There is also an elevator to the second story right near the Sanctuary entrance on the Main Hall. The Fellowship Hall is easily accessible from the parking lot entrance or the Rear Portico.

Where is the after-church Coffee Fellowship?

  • If you exit the Sanctuary from the doors near the platform, turn left and go down the hallway. The Fellowship Hall is down a short hall to the left, past the coat racks.

  • If you would like to greet the minister before going to the Coffee Fellowship, you can leave church from the Main Doors and then walk across the path to the front door of Fellowship Hall. The front entrance to Fellowship Hall is the smaller of the two facades that are visible from West Main Street and which stand on either side of the Memorial Garden.

What do I wear?

  • About half the congregation likes to wear their "Sunday best", and you will see suits, ties and dresses. However, about half the congregation wear casual clothes to church. It is most important that you feel comfortable no matter what you wear.

What about my children?

  • Children of all ages are welcome at any worship service.

  • Nursery care is available for babies and children under age 3 during services. The nursery is located in the first floor main hallway between the Sanctuary and Parish Center. The hallway is accessed through the back doors (near the Platform) of the sanctuary during services. It is also accessed directly from the back Portico and the parking lot entrance behind the shops.

  • Children age 3 through 8th grade come to church with their parents and then leave the service after the children's story. Sunday School runs from mid-September through June. Children's classrooms are located on the first and second floors of the Parish Center. Please feel free to escort your children from the sanctuary to their classroom. You may leave the sanctuary and return through the back doors (near the Platform) or through the back doors from the gallery. Occasionally there is an all-church school program which takes place in the Fellowship Hall. In that event the program will be announced.

  • "Safe Church." Our church has adopted Safe Church Policies endorsed by the United Church of Christ.

  • Learn more about the children's and youth programs by looking at the Christian Ed Page.

Where can I hang my coat?

  • You can find coat racks in the coat room adjacent to the parking lot entrance behind the shops, in the hallway leading from the rear Portico to the Sanctuary, or on the pegs in the entry way from the front steps.

What do I wear?

  • About half the congregation likes to wear their "Sunday best", and you will see suits, ties and dresses. However, about half the congregation wear casual clothes to church. It is most important that you feel comfortable no matter what you wear.

Where are the restrooms?

  • The restrooms are in the main hallway connecting the Sanctuary and the Parish Center, about halfway between the Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall.

Can I take Communion?

  • Communion is open to all congregants regardless of your religious background. We celebrate the Sacrament of communion on the first Sunday of each month.

What do you believe?