How to Sell Tickets to Church Events
Gathrd by MRVL is a faith-only ticketing platform that lets churches sell event tickets with just 3% fees, automatic Gift Aid handling for UK organisers, and QR door check-in. Set up is free; you only pay when you sell tickets.
Why Gathrd for Church Ticketing
Most event platforms charge between 6.95% and 10% per transaction, plus per-ticket fees. Gathrd charges 3% on paid tickets and nothing on free events. For UK churches, Gift Aid is split-checked at checkout so your attendees can claim their donations back without separate forms. The platform is faith-only by design, meaning your worship nights, conferences, prayer meetings and retreats appear only alongside other Christian events, never mixed with nightclubs or secular venues. As of June 2026, Gathrd serves churches across denominations: Church of England, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal, and non-denominational communities.
Setting Up Your First Ticket Event
Sign up free on getgathrd.app or the iOS and Android apps. Create an event with a title, date, location, and description. Set your ticket types and prices. Gathrd handles payment via Stripe Connect with payouts to your bank account. If your church is in the UK, enable Gift Aid in your event settings: eligible attendees will see the option at checkout to add a gift aid declaration, and the split amount flows separately. You can list your event immediately on the faith-only directory, or keep it private and share the link directly with your community. There is no setup fee, no minimum ticket sales, and no cost until someone buys a ticket.
Check-In and Attendance Management
On the day of your event, use Gathrd's QR check-in feature at the door. Each ticket holder receives a unique QR code via email after booking. Scan it with the Gathrd app to mark them in. Check-in works offline, so internet dropouts will not disrupt your door. For enhanced security or premium ticketing workflows, integrate with TapTrust NFC review cards to combine check-in with post-event feedback collection. This is especially useful for multi-session events like conferences or retreats where you want attendance records and attendee sentiment in one place.
Pricing Plans for Churches
Community use is free with a 3% fee per paid ticket. If you run multiple events per month, the Church plan costs £19.99 per month or £199.99 per year and includes unlimited events with the same 3% per-ticket fee. For larger organisations, the Ministry plan is £49.99 per month and the Conference plan is £149.99 per month. All plans feature Gift Aid automation for UK churches, QR check-in, offline support, and access to the faith-only directory. Payment processing is handled by Stripe Connect, which offers discounts in 37 countries including the UK, US, Canada, and most of Europe.
Discovery and Audience Reach
When you list an event on Gathrd, it appears in the faith-only directory alongside other Christian events. Attendees in your area can filter by denomination, event type (worship, conference, prayer meeting, community), and date. You can also share your event directly via link, social media, or email to your congregation. The platform is built for faith communities to find each other, so your audience is pre-filtered: they are already looking for Christian events in their area or online.
Gift Aid and UK Church Finances
Gift Aid is a UK scheme that allows charities to reclaim 25% of the value of donations from taxpayers. Gathrd automates this at checkout. When a UK taxpayer buys a ticket to your church event, they see a simple Gift Aid declaration option. If they tick it, Gathrd records their donation data and splits the amount so you can claim Gift Aid on the eligible portion. This means your church receives more funding without the attendee paying extra. You do not have to manually chase Gift Aid forms after the event; it is built into the ticketing flow.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fee to sell church event tickets on Gathrd?
Gathrd charges 3% on paid tickets and nothing on free events. There are no setup fees, monthly minimums, or per-ticket transaction charges. For comparison, Eventbrite charges 6.95% plus £0.59 per ticket.
Can I collect Gift Aid donations when selling tickets?
Yes, if your church is a registered UK charity. Enable Gift Aid in your event settings and eligible attendees will see a Gift Aid declaration at checkout. Gathrd splits the amount so you can claim Gift Aid on the donation portion without manual paperwork.
How does QR check-in work on the day?
After someone buys a ticket, they receive a unique QR code via email. At the door, use the Gathrd app to scan the code and mark them checked in. Check-in works offline, so internet dropouts will not block your entry process.
Is Gathrd only for large churches or conferences?
No. Gathrd is free for community use with a 3% per-ticket fee. Whether you are running a small prayer meeting, worship night, or large conference, you only pay when tickets sell. Paid plans (from £19.99/month) are optional if you want unlimited events and more features.
Can I sell tickets to online or hybrid events?
Yes. Gathrd supports in-person, online, and hybrid events. Set your event type at creation and attendees will see the format. You can still use QR check-in for in-person attendees; online attendees receive their ticket confirmation via email.
How do I get paid when tickets sell?
Payment is processed via Stripe Connect. Funds are deposited directly into your church's bank account. Payouts are typically processed within 1 to 2 business days. Stripe Connect also offers discounts in 37 countries, so international churches benefit from lower fees.