Using Our Facilities

Using Abbey Memorial Chapel or Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary

To use Abbey Chapel for a wedding, please go to the Weddings at MHC section.

Abbey Chapel’s primary use is for the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and the Music Department. The Abbey Memorial Chapel and Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary may also be reserved by college faculty, staff, and students for college events. Reservations should be made as early in the semester as possible.

Abbey Chapel is not available to outside organizations or private events during the academic year with the exception of college affiliated weddings.  During official college breaks and the summer months, the chapel may be available for use by external organizations on a fee for use basis. Rental charges and fees are based on the number of people and services provided.  To reserve Abbey Chapel during the breaks and the summer months, please contact the Office of Conference and Event Services at (413) 538-2153.

The Mount Holyoke community may reserve the Abbey Interfaith Sanctuary or the Abbey Memorial Chapel by using the appropriate reservation form.

Using the facilities at Eliot House

The Eliot House Lounge and the Eliot House Kitchen, Kosher Kitchen and Halal Kitchens may be reserved for events by the Eliot House supported faith groups as well as the campus community.

The Eliot House kitchens (Eliot House, Kosher or Halal kitchens) are considered by the Town of South Hadley as Commercial Licensed Kitchens and the Federal, State and local ServSafe Food Regulations must be followed.  Those using the kitchens must have “Person In Charge, (PIC)” training from our Kitchen Manager, Rob Masse prior to using the kitchen.

Religious & Spiritual Life Faith Groups

If you are a member of one of the faith groups supported by the Office of Religious & Spiritual Life and would like to use the Eliot House Lounge and/or one of the three kitchens for your group, please contact your faith group Chaplain or Advisor for a reservation form.

Using Only the Eliot House Lounge

To use the Eliot House Lounge for a meeting without access to any kitchens, please fill out the Eliot House Lounge ONLY Reservation form. The only food that can be served without the use of the kitchens are bottled drinks, store-bought cookies, chips, or whole fruit, as other foods may be potentially hazardous foods which would require following the ServSafe Regulations for use of the kitchen.  Please remove all food, utencils and garbage when your reservation is over.

Students with Religious Dietary Restrictions

Students with religious dietary restrictions may reserve the Eliot House Kitchen during college breaks and Jterm by filling out a Personal Use Reservation Form and emailing it to ghiggins@mtholyoke.edu. Please send in the form as soon as you know of your need, since our staff may be on vacation or holiday time during these periods and if you have not received "Person In Charge" training, you will need to arrange with Rob Masse, our Kitchen Manager to receive this instruction prior to your use of the kitchens.

MHC Community Use of the Eliot House Kitchens

The Eliot House lounge and kitchens' primary use is by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life.  These facilities may also be used by the campus community when available.

Since our kitchens are commercial kitchens licensed through the Town of South Hadley; Federal, State and local ServSafe Regulations must be followed.  This will require you to hire at your own expense, Rob Masse, our Kitchen Manager, to be present from the time the food is being prepared though clean up.  Your reservation will be confirmed by the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life if the space is available and Rob Masse, our Kitchen Manager is available for your event.  His contact information will be provided with confirmation of your reservation.

You will also need to provide for at least two people to be trained as ServSafe "Person In Charge" (PIC) workers to work for you during food preparation, your event and clean up.  Arrange for “PIC” training for your “PICs” as soon as you start to plan an event.  The number of "PICs" that you will need will depend on the size of the event and the number of items being served.  Please note that “PICs” are working and therefore cannot be participants in your event. 

"PIC" Training can be arranged through Rob Masse and must be completed at least two weeks before your event.  If planning a corresponding event, please remember that your "PICs" will not be able to attend any connected event during set up time.  Therefore, you may want to ask Rob Masse for names of students who are not connected to your event who are already trained as "PICs" to see if they would like to volunteer to work for you.  If they require payment you will need to hire them through the JobX System.  If your PICs have not received training by Rob Masse two weeks in advance of your event, your event will be canceled.

You will also need to provide your own paper products, plates, cups, plastic eating utensils, napkins, etc. and must remove all food, above named products and garbage before you leave the kitchens.

If using a caterer or restaurant, please check with the food provider to make sure they are licensed through the Town of South Hadley. Rob Masse and two student "PIC" volunteers are still required when you have your food catered.

To make a reservation for an event using any of the Eliot House kitchens, please fill out the MHC Community Use of Eliot House Kitchens form.