Facilities
Welcome to the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
The Centre provides Christian hospitality in the heart of Canberra. The Centre focuses on the relationship of Christianity to wider society, with special interests in reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous people, ecumenical relations, inter-faith dialogue, and Christianity and the arts. The facilities of the Centre are available for Christian and secular groups to use.
MAP OF THE CENTRE
This map shows the location of the main buildings of the ACC&C, along with the layout of the Pilgrim walk.
Indoor Venues
Chapel
Chapel
The Chapel is designed to provide a worship space for the ecumenical movement in Canberra as a focus for Christianity in Australia. It is often used for national civic religious occasions such as the service for the Opening of the Parliamentary Year. As a multi-purpose venue, the Chapel lends itself to use for purposes other than worship such as for small conferences, seminars, public lectures, exhibitions, and musical events. The acoustics of the building are of a very high order. It is an excellent venue for acappella singing groups or chamber music concerts. The Chapel can seat 150 to 200 people comfortably and up to 250. The Chapel is air conditioned and features audio/visual equipment, lecterns and staging, indoor and outdoor kitchen facilities and access to the adjacent amphitheatre (with outdoor seating option) and gardens. Hospitality facilities include a kitchen, with electric cooking, microwave, dishwasher, crockery/cutlery, vestry, and toilet facilities (male, female and disabled). There is also a small prayer room. To see photographs of previous events held in the Chapel.
The Upper Room
The Chapel includes the first floor Upper Room, which, with seating for 12, is ideal for small groups and workshops. It features two whiteboards and a kitchenette.
Pavilion
The Pavilion is a conference room that can seat 35 people comfortably, 40 maximum. It has lovely views onto the grounds. It has tables and chairs, 2 whiteboards and includes a kitchenette including dishwasher, crockery, cutlery, and fridge, air conditioning, and access to the adjacent decking (with outdoor setting option) and gardens. A projector is available upon prior request from the Centre.
Equipment
The Centre has a range of equipment for events. The Programs Manager can provide an overview of equipment if needed.
Catering
Small groups using Centre facilities can self-cater light refreshments for up to 80 persons.
Close
Outdoor Venues
St Mark's Outdoor Chapel
The Outdoor chapel is increasingly used for private meditation, small services, and weddings. Electricity can be provided.
Weddings
Wedding ceremonies should be conducted according to a Christian order and by a Christian celebrant. Weddings can be conducted in the Outdoor Chapel. Larger ceremonies and receptions can be conducted in the large indoor Chapel.
The Grounds
The grounds are increasingly attracting visitors such as school groups. They include the Pilgrim Walk, the Labyrinth, the Bible Garden, the Great Cross and the Meeting Place.
Tours
A comfortable tour of the grounds takes 45mins.
Plan Ahead
The Centre is now in demand and groups seeking to use its facilities, particularly booking of venues, should book early and consider how you want the venue(s) to be set up. Ideally you should allocate one representative of your group to liaise with the Programs Manager to discuss and view the venue before the event, including bringing any volunteers, such as caterers, sound engineers, etc., who will be working with you. Your group should provide assistance with setting up of chairs, tables and other equipment. If your group requires set-up assistance, the group's representative should liaise with the Programs Manager at least one week in advance to facilitate the employment of casual staff.