Accessibility

When we say God’s love is for everyone, we mean EVERYONE.

We are committed to making our community fully accessible and welcoming to people of all abilities.

Exterior Access

  • Parking: On Sundays, reserved accessible parking spans the entire block along 36th Street (west side of the building).

  • Building Entrances: Step-free entrances are located on the South Side and on the West Patio near the labyrinth.

  • Upcoming Elevator: Construction is underway on a new elevator connecting the East Parking Lot directly to the sanctuary level, as well as providing full interior access between all floors.

Interior Access

Restrooms

  • Accessible Restrooms: An accessible restroom is located on the sanctuary level in the Parlor.

  • Single-Occupancy / Private: A private, single-stall restroom is available off Memorial Hall (in the Bride’s Room) for anyone needing extra space or privacy.

  • 📍 Map of restrooms coming soon!

Sanctuary Seating

  • Pew Cutouts: Cutouts for mobility devices are located midway down the sanctuary and in the front row.

  • Flexible Seating: A bench is available at the back of the sanctuary for added comfort and space for movement, if needed.

  • Front Row Access: The front-row pews feature no front railing for easy, step-free access.

Vision & Hearing Accommodations

  • Large-Print Materials: Large-print printed bulletins and large-print music sheets are available for every service.

  • Digital Bulletins: You can access our digital bulletin on your smartphone or tablet to customize text size and screen contrast.

  • Assistive Listening Devices: Personal sound amplification devices are available in the narthex. You can find them on the left side as you enter from the 36th Street entrance—please feel free to ask an usher if you need help locating them

Sensory Considerations

  • Space for Movement: Feel free to move as you need! We have open space at the back of the sanctuary where adults and children are welcome to walk around, stretch, or stand during the service.

  • Noise Considerations: Our worship service regularly includes pipe organ music, piano music, choir singing, and congregational singing. Noise cancelling headphones are available in both adult and child sizes. They are in a basket on the table by the sanctuary doors as you enter through the narthex. You can also ask an usher if you need assistance locating them.

  • Lighting: We rely on natural stained-glass light and overhead lighting—no flashing lights or haze are used in our services.

  • Quiet/ Calming Space: If you or a loved one needs a break from the sanctuary during worship, you are welcome to step into Memorial Hall, where the service is broadcast live with adjustable volume.

  • Scents: We burn unscented candles during worship and do not use incense. A small floral arrangement is placed near the altar during weekly services. Additional floral displays may be present during holidays and special events.

  • Service Duration: Our traditional worship services typically last about 60 minutes. Services on major holidays or special occasions may extend closer to 75 minutes.

Education, Youth, and Family Program Accommodations

Education Programs

    • Our nursery is a welcoming, lightly structured playtime for children ages 0 to 3, featuring a calming corner, sensory tools, visual aids, and plenty of toys! If your child benefits from 1:1 support, please reach out to our Director of Education, Lizzie, at education@firstcentral.org or fill out our Accommodation Questionnaire. Letting us know in advance helps us ensure we have the right staffing in place to welcome your family!

    • Timing & Flow: Sunday School lasts about 45 minutes and takes place during the worship service. Children start by sitting with their families in worship for the first 15 minutes, gather at the altar for the Children’s Message with Lizzie (our Director of Education), and then head up to the 3rd floor Parlor for a large-group song and chat before breaking into grade-level groups.

    • Experienced Teachers: All of our Sunday School teachers hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education and are experienced in supporting a wide variety of learners.

    • Classroom Activities: Activities may include stories, crafts, singing, videos, group discussion, and writing (typically 2nd grade and up). Teachers are happy to adapt any activity to meet your child's needs!

      • Accessibility Note Regarding the 3rd Floor: Please note that while our new elevator is under construction, the 3rd floor is currently accessible only via stairs. Expected elevator completion is late 2026 / early 2027. If your child has mobility needs, please let us know—we will happily make alternative arrangements to ensure they are fully included! We apologize for any inconvenience while we anxiously await elevator completion.

    • If you have specific questions or accommodation requests, please reach out directly to Lizzie at education@firstcentral.org or fill out our Education Accommodation Questionnaire.

    • Schedule & Meals: Youth Group meets every other Sunday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. We typically share dinner together as a large group before splitting into Junior High and Senior High groups. Dinner is held in the Parlor, which is fully wheelchair accessible.

    • Activities & Programs: Youth group activities are participant-led and determined by the youth at the beginning of each school year! Activities vary widely and may include Trivia Nights, Spa Nights, Lock-Ins, local field trips, day trips to Worlds of Fun, and multi-night mission trips. Most program activities take place on the 3rd floor.

      • Accessibility Note Regarding the 3rd Floor: Please note that while our new elevator is under construction, the 3rd floor is currently accessible only via stairs. Expected elevator completion is late 2026 / early 2027. If your child has mobility needs, please let us know—we will happily make alternative arrangements to ensure they are fully included! We apologize for any inconvenience while we anxiously await elevator completion.

    • Experienced Leadership: Two of our Youth Group leaders hold Master’s degrees in education and are experienced in supporting a wide variety of youth

    • If you have specific questions or accommodation requests, please reach out directly to Lizzie at education@firstcentral.org or fill out our Education Accommodation Questionnaire.

Adult and Family Programs

    • Schedule & Topics: Adult Education takes place on Sunday mornings at 9:00 - 10:00 AM (before worship). Topics vary widely and are posted on our Event Calendar so you can review them ahead of time.

    • Location & Accessibility: Sessions are held in Memorial Hall, which is fully wheelchair accessible. The closest step-free entrance is the West Patio entrance by the labyrinth (please see the parking and entrance details above).

    • Seating: Adult Ed sessions typically take place sitting down, utilizing comfortable padded dining chairs with armrests.

    • Community Dinner: On Wednesday nights, we share a multi-generational potluck meal from 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM featuring a variety of dishes. Dinner is held in the Parlor, which is fully wheelchair accessible.

    • Evening Schedule: Following dinner, we split into adult and youth programming. Adult programming continues right in the Parlor, while youth programming moves upstairs to the 3rd floor.

      • Accessibility Note Regarding the 3rd Floor: Please note that while our new elevator is under construction, the 3rd floor is currently accessible only via stairs. Expected elevator completion is late 2026 / early 2027. If your child has mobility needs, please let us know—we will happily make alternative arrangements to ensure they are fully included! We apologize for any inconvenience while we anxiously await elevator completion.

Our Commitment to Accessibility and Inclusion

Our Accessibility and Inclusion Team is constantly working to improve accessibility throughout our church, and updates will be posted here as new accommodations are introduced.

While our historic 150-year-old building is currently undergoing construction for a new elevator—slated for completion in late 2026 or early 2027—we are committed to making sure every space is accessible to you right now. If you have a specific request or need help accessing any area of our building, please let us know!

A member of our Staff or Accessibility and Inclusion Team will reach out to you as soon as possible. We can't wait to welcome you!