Wedding Policies

St. Peter’s is blessed with a beautiful historic building located in a community rich in tradition and centered around the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Mississippi. For these reasons, the parish is flooded with requests for weddings, too many for the clergy to handle in the responsible manner that the Episcopal Church requires. Thus, marriages are performed at St. Peter’s for active members, their children, and former members who have historic ties to this parish and have moved away. Because of our role in supporting the Episcopal chaplaincy to Ole Miss, those students and recent graduates who are known to the chaplain are also eligible for marriage at St. Peter’s, as long as either the groom or bride or both are members of the Episcopal Church.  Finally, when someone is new to the area, the clergy will consider scheduling a marriage for the couple after they have begun attending and made plans to join the church.

In order to be married, the couple is required to meet with one of the clergy for several hours of pre-marital counseling. A booklet of wedding guidelines will be given to the couple at the first session; they explain in detail many of the practical aspects of preparing for a wedding ceremony and include a list of applicable fees.

The Episcopal Church requires at least 30 days notice for a marriage and 60 days notice when one or both of the couple is asking for permission to be remarried after a divorce or annulment. St. Peter’s requests 60 days’ notice for weddings and 90 days for marriage after divorce. It is advisable, however, to phone the church office several months in advance of your intended date to make an appointment with one of the clergy.

The scheduling of weddings is not allowed (1) during Lent, (2) on Sundays, (3) or for the two-week period beginning one week before Christmas and ending one week after Christmas.

Baptismal Guidelines

Baptism is a rite of entrance into the church, and this sacrament is open to anyone regardless of age. The baptismal service in the Book of Common Prayer, by the vows and promises made, makes it clear that this is an act of commitment. If baptism occurs at an adult age, the adult is making a decision to commit himself or herself to a life in Christ in the community where baptized.

If baptism is administered to infants, the promises and vows are made by the parents and godparents (sponsors). Therefore, it is important that the parents actively attend and support the church, or plan to do so if they are new to the community, as a sign of their commitment to the vows they make. Also, because baptism is incorporation into the Body of Christ, the Church, it is important for the gathered community to be present. Thus, baptisms are celebrated at regularly scheduled church services.

When considering a baptism, please talk to one of the clergy as soon as possible. Since baptisms are normally performed at a Sunday Eucharist, early planning is necessary to arrive at a mutually convenient date. Except for grave illness, there is no need to rush into baptism. It is more important that the parents, godparents, and (older) candidates be prepared for the commitment they are to make than that some predetermined deadline be met.


A pre-baptismal class is required for all parents of young children and any godparents who can be present. The class is normally scheduled on the Saturday morning before the Baptism. Older children and adults are asked to take confirmation classes as part of their preparation.

Baptism is intended to be administered in the community where the family is worshipping. If for reasons of family tradition, it is important for a couple to return to St. Peter’s, one of the clergy of St. Peter’s will communicate with the clergy of the parents’ “home” parish about the impending baptism. Please contact the clergy if you have any further questions about baptism.

Guidelines for use of the Parish Hall and other Buildings and Facilities

I. The Parish Hall has been built to aid and promote the life and work of the Episcopal Church in this community. Therefore, all previously scheduled or recurring St. Peter’s functions and parish-related activities have first priority on the use of the building. Outside groups and individual parishioners can reserve space up to three months in advance for approved functions at times not conflicting with parish activities. Further, St. Peter’s reserves the right to review ongoing uses, and the continuing propriety of those uses, at its discretion.

II. No furniture or equipment shall be taken from the building except by members of St. Peter’s for use at church functions. All furniture and equipment must be checked out through the parish administrator, listing the date of removal, description of and # of items to be used, type of use and the date to be returned.

III. Factors that will be considered for approval of the use of the facility include the following priorities:
A. That the purpose of the use, as determined by the Rector, is consistent with and appropriate to the purposes of the church.
B. That they are public in nature.
C. That they do not conflict, as stated above, in any way with St. Peter’s regularly scheduled activities and functions.
D. That those in charge of the function agree to leave the property clean and in good order or pay the sexton to do so.

IV. Salaries and fees for St. Peter’s personnel and equipment have been negotiated with the following understanding in regard to the use of the facilities at weddings and other similar weekend functions. The following cleaning fees are to be paid directly to the sexton by the Monday prior to the function. Note that the fee for the use of the church is the required fee and in addition to it a fee is paid to him for cleaning the parish hall for rehearsal dinner and/or reception:
A. Weekend use of the church for a wedding $75.00
B. Weekend use of Parish Hall for dinner or reception $150.00
C. Weekend use of Parish Hall for dinner and reception on 2 distinct days $250.00
Use of the Parish Hall for smaller functions will be prorated up to the $150 fee, but a minimum of $75 will be charged for clean up on the weekends.
(The above fees do not include washing dishes, etc. The use of dishes and other kitchen equipment needs to be negotiated on an individual basis.)
E. Because of the increased use of our buildings, use for private functions such as birthday parties and family reunions is strongly discouraged. If members of the parish or non-members are allowed to use the Parish Hall for a private function, the cleaning fee for the Sexton may be waived provided the parishioners or non-members make special arrangements with the church office that they themselves will do the cleaning, including the sweeping and mopping of floors, the return of furniture to its original location and the carrying away of all trash to the alley dumpster. A cleaning deposit of $100 will be held until after the function. If the sexton cleans the parish, the above fees apply for weekend use. The usage fee, payable to St. Peter’s, for the parish hall and facilities for these private events is $ 150.

V. Special consideration may be given in the following cases at the discretion of the Rector for use of parish buildings without any fee:
A. The Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts sponsored by the church may have the use of certain facilities.
B. Committees of service or leadership organizations may use a Sunday school room or the Parish Hall for meetings.
C. Groups that have an ongoing relationship with St. Peter’s (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous, AARP, Retired Teachers Assoc., The University of Mississippi, Habitat for Humanity, etc.) and whose use of the facilities is considered to be part of the outreach ministry of the parish shall be given special consideration.

VI. Prohibitions:
A. Social sororities and social fraternities may not use the facilities for social functions. Leadership training and formal meetings, led by adult advisors, may be allowed at the discretion of the Rector.
B. Honorary or private societies may not use the church for initiation rites.

VII. Notification: All persons and/or groups who use the church facilities must first reserve the space with the church office.

VII. In every case, the last word concerning the use of the church facilities is canonically vested in the Rector (Title III, Canon 20, Section 1b).

Building Use Guidelines. 021104
Revised July 20, 2005
Revised July 31, 2006

STATEMENT OF INCLUSION

As requested by Bishop Duncan Gray III of all parishes in the Diocese of Mississippi,  the Vestry of St. Peter’s has adopted the following statement of inclusion : We respect the dignity of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, national origin, race, gender or age and welcome and encourage them to fully participate in all areas of parish life.