The Porch, commonly known as the steps of Memorial Church in Tercentenary Theatre, is a central outdoor space for the community to gather casually. Benches and tables and chairs are available for enjoying coffee or lunch, studying, and enjoying the view of Harvard Yard.

The Porch was formally dedicated in 2013 with a ceremony at which President Drew Gilpin Faust remarked that the Porch is "a place apart, a place of interaction, and a place where we can understand and celebrate who we are."

With the Porch’s location in historic Harvard Yard near both sacred space and classroom spaces, proposals for outdoor events require careful consideration and are coordinated between Common Spaces, Harvard Yard Operations, and Memorial Church.

Local Contact Approval for Outdoor Use of the Memorial Church Porch: 
The Memorial Church Steps or “Porch” is an integral part of the Church, its mission, and programming to serve as a place of spiritual refuge to the entire community. The Porch was also designated as a University Common Space in 2013 by President Emerita Drew Faust as a vital location on campus where members of the Harvard community and visiting public can connect and deepen their sense of community. 
As such, the Memorial Church staff reviews and approves all uses of the Porch to ensure balance with existing programming within the Church and Sanctuary Space with the office of Common Spaces as a consulting partner. Additional vetting also occurs with Harvard Yard Operations to ensure balanced use around Tercentenary Theatre. As with other spaces on campus, use of the Porch is governed by the Campus Use Rules.

To request use of the Memorial Church Porch for a dedicated event, please complete the survey: https://memorialchurch.harvard.edu/vigils
To request other uses of the Memorial Church Porch, please contact:
memorialchurch_events@harvard.edu

Use of Candles:
• Use of candles must be formally requested in writing by the event organizers.
• Candles with wax “catchers” must be used.
• Events that utilize candles are required to have a fire extinguisher and a designated staff member prepared to utilize it.
• Through fall 2024, City of Cambridge Fire Department has not consistently required a Fire Detail for an outdoor vigil in the City of Cambridge.

Amplified Sound:
• A request to utilize amplified sound must be formally requested in writing by the event organizers.
• Use of amplified sound is time-limited for a short duration only (eg. 1 hour).
• Generally, there is no amplification in Harvard Yard however exceptions may be considered for solemn events (bearing in mind that students live, attend classes, and study in the immediate surrounds).
• When use of amplified sound is approved, the maximum sound level may not exceed 75 decibels.