Use of the Seminary Chapel for Weddings
The Church of the Abiding Presence has for half a century sheltered and nurtured the worship life of
the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. The generosity of congregations, alumni and other
friends of the Seminary have provided a place of classical beauty and instruments well suited to
singing the praise of God.
The Seminary tries to be a good steward of this gift by sharing it, when possible, with other
congregations in the area. We hope this building helps you to hear the Word of God and to sing
God’s praises, as it has long helped us.
We only ask that you remember that this is a house of worship and treat the chapel and its
furnishings with the same respect with which you treat your own church building.
Conditions for Use
Conditions for Use must be followed in order to be reimbursed your security deposit
Scheduling
1. Seminary related events shall always be given first priority in scheduling the use of the chapel.
The Seminary maintains the right to cancel your reservation for a Seminary event up to six
months prior to your wedding date. In the unfortunate event of major damage to the
chapel, cancellation may occur at any time. Under such circumstances, all fees will be
refunded.
2. Permission to use the chapel is restricted to couples where at least one member fulfills either
of the following criteria:
a. Is a member of the Seminary community, e.g., an enrolled student, a present or past
member of the faculty or staff, or an alumnus/nae of the Seminary.
b. Is a member of a congregation whose governing board makes a formal, written
request to the Seminary for the hosting of the official act of the congregation to the
Seminary chapel.
61 Seminary Ridge
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325
Tel: 717-334-6286
Fax: 717-334-3469
www.Ltsg.edu
3. No wedding shall be scheduled for the Seminary chapel without written approval from the
office of the President of the Seminary. This procedure is managed by the Seminary Events
Coordinator.
4. Submission for approval will not be granted until both the completed application and letter
from home congregation are received.
5. A Certificate of Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 must be provided for all
weddings. For a partial listing of insurance companies that can provide the certificate, contact
Wendy Mizenko at www.Ltsg.edu or 717-334-3004.
6. Wedding reservations will not be accepted more than one year in advance.
7. No more than one wedding service shall be scheduled for any specific date.
8. The time and date for the rehearsal and the wedding are tentative until six months prior to
the wedding date, because of the priority given to the scheduling of Seminary events.
9. A bride, groom or a family member is required to arrange for a tour of the Chapel with the
Events Coordinator prior to the wedding.
Rice and Confetti Restrictions
Because the Seminary is located in the midst of National Park Service property and the street
in front of the chapel is the property of the National Park Service, the National Park Service
has absolutely prohibited the throwing of rice, confetti, bird seed, and other such material
both inside the Chapel and on the premises surrounding the Chapel. This restriction must
be stated clearly in the wedding bulletin.
Parking
During weddings and rehearsals, parking is restricted to the parking lots and to Springs Ave.
There is to be no parking on either side of Seminary Ridge at any time by order of the
National Park Service. The parking lot adjacent to Krauth House is reserved for Krauth House
tenants. Do not use this lot.
Fees
A fee schedule shall be provided to couples who schedule the Chapel for a wedding. All fees
are payable to the Events Office at the time that final confirmation is given for the use of the
Chapel (i.e. six months prior to the date of the wedding).
Chapel Regulations
1. No decorations of any kind (flowers, candles, etc.) are to be placed on the altar.
2. No decorations of any kind are to be placed on the columns in the sanctuary. Floral
arrangements may be placed elsewhere in the chancel area (front on the church).
3. Candles may be placed only in the chancel area.
4. The floor-standing candelabras are for Seminary use only. They may not be used.
(Candelabras may be obtained through local rental agencies/florists – to be placed in
chancel area only).
5. None of the basic Chapel furnishings shall be moved.
6. Bows may be placed on pews reserved for family.
7. Following the service you are responsible to arrange for all doors and windows to be
shut, all candles extinguished, all decorations, flowers, and any other items brought in
to be removed, and all light turned off.
8. If desired, you may have the chapel bells rung to announce the beginning of the
service, and provide a peal (extended ringing of all three bells) as the wedding party
leaves the church.
Procedures for Reserving the Chapel
1. Complete the Application for Use of the Seminary Chapel and return to:
Events Office
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
61 Seminary Ridge
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Your reservation is for 1-4 hours. Please specify the block of time on your application.
Each additional hour will be charged at $50.00 per hour.
2. At the same time as you are completing your application, have your Church Council
(not the pastor who will perform your service), send a written request to the Seminary
for the transfer of this official act of the congregation to the Seminary chapel.
3. Upon receipt of the completed application and letter from church council, your
wedding request will be submitted to the Administrative Assistant to the President of
the Seminary for tentative approval. The wedding and rehearsal dates and times will
be tentatively placed on the Seminary’s master calendar. A copy of the approved
application will be sent to you.
4. The time and date for the rehearsal and the wedding are tentative until six months
prior to the wedding date. At that time you will receive a confirmation form to be
completed and signed. All fees will be due at the time of confirmation. Do not send
any money before the confirmation date.
5. Provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000. For a partial
listing of insurance companies that can provide the certificate, contact Wendy
Mizenko at www.Ltsg.edu or 717-334-3004.
6. The Public Address System and Eucharist are optional services. Availability of these
services is not guaranteed from May 15 to September 15.
7. A rice and confetti prohibited form will be sent with the wedding reservation
confirmation form. Sign and return with the confirmation to the attention of the
Events Office.
8. Organists are permitted to have practice time at no additional cost. They must contact
the Events Office to reserve the Chapel.
9. At the time of the rehearsal and wedding the chapel will be open. Keys are not
needed.
10. If all Conditions for Use and Procedures for Use of the Chapel are followed $200
security fee will be returned.
Rev. 3/17