Accessibility
Parking & Entering
Our building has ADA-compliant automatic doors on the south and west sides with accessible parking near each entrance. The east entrance requires a long walk and stairs.
Inside Our Building
Accessible bathrooms can be found on two floors.
A wheelchair lift will soon be available again off of the foyer to provide access to the four levels within our church. For information about the project to replace the lift, please see the presentation by Al Powers that followed the forum on October 17, 2021.
During Sunday Service
Ask an usher for any of the following to assist you during our Sunday services:
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Full-page magnifiers
- Large-print hymnals
- Braille hymnals
If you have questions or concerns about accessibility options in our church, please learn more about our Accessibility Team or contact the team at accessibility@ucdsm.org.
Our Spaces
Now Open!
One way we serve the greater Des Moines community is to make many of our church spaces available for rent to outside groups. From the auditorium to downstairs classrooms, we have space for a variety of meetings and events. Members may reserve church space without charge for personal or family use.
If you’re looking for a location for your wedding, we’re happy to host your big event! Check out Griffin Hall, the Gathering Space, the Auditorium, and our newly-renovated Kitchen!
If you’re interested in renting space for other purposes, please review our Building Use Request Form, which includes equipment availability, and our Alcohol Policy Agreement (if applicable). Then contact Hannah Notch, at hnotch@ucdsm.org to check availability.
Please note:
First Unitarian Church does not automatically provide setup or cleanup for your event. If you are unable to assemble volunteers for these tasks, please email hnotch@ucdsm.org at least 10 business days in advance. A setup/cleanup charge will be applied to your rental bill.
Griffin Hall Gallery
In Griffin Hall we display monthly shows by local artists with art that can be hung on the wall. You can view the art gallery any time the church office is open (Tuesday – Friday, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. CT) and on Sunday mornings. One Sunday each month, the current artist joins us during coffee hour to talk about their work.
Our art wall is 10-feet high by 36-feet long. If you would like to show your artwork at First Unitarian, please review and complete our Application Form, and learn about our art-gallery-committee.
Grounds
Our Memorial Garden is a special place where members may honor loved ones or find a peaceful place for the interment of cremated remains. Located on the east side of the church building, the garden features a selection of native plants and lush greenery. A stone and granite walkway leads visitors to a circular center, a lovely site for weddings, memorial services or quiet meditation.
A plaque displayed near the garden lists the names of those interred. We also invite you to purchase an engraved memorial brick or granite paver to place in the garden to honor a loved one, celebrate a milestone or commemorate a contribution to the garden. Please review our Memorial Garden Use Policy for more details.
For guidance planning a memorial service, funeral or celebration of life, please see When a Loved One Dies.
To reserve the Memorial Garden for an event, to purchase a memorial brick or granite paver, or to inquire about interment, please contact Hannah Notch, at buildingcoordination@ucdsm.org.
Our grounds feature a labyrinth walk in the southeast part of our property designed for meditation and rituals. It may be reached via a path near our east parking lot. To reserve the labyrinth for an event, please contact Hannah Notch, at buildingcoordination@ucdsm.org.