We are undertaking renovation and construction at Faith because we are in need of updated and expanded facilities. God is blessing Faith with fruitful ministries, and these ministries need clean, attractive, and welcoming spaces in which to meet. Our current building has served us well, but it has not been updated for several decades. Furthermore, we are continually in need of more space for existing ministries as well as staff work space. To put it another way, if the renovations were completed tomorrow, we would be able to use it all!

Faith’s vision and mission are executed, in part, through the ministries of the church. For some time, we have been in need of additional space for classes, staff, and a large meeting space (fellowship hall). Space-wise, we are bursting at the seams. We are not taking the approach that says, “If you build it, they will come.” Rather, our approach is, “They are already here, so we should build it.”

While it is the intention of Faith’s leadership to support current ministries and minimize impact, there will be some interruptions. Namely, we will have to relocate our Sunday morning services during the time of construction. The diaconate is diligently working to find us an alternative location. Furthermore, groups that meet in the sanctuary wing may need to be relocated for the few weeks of construction. In order for this to work smoothly, it will require all of us being gracious and accommodating during the period of construction. To quote the unofficial motto of the Marines, Semper Gumby – always flexible!

We intend to break ground in October 2023.

Actual construction will likely take approximately 2 months to complete. Estimated completion date is mid-December 2023.

Projected cost for Phase 1 is $660K.

Projected cost for the Master Plan is between $3 and 4 million.

This is mostly dependent on financing. If there is sufficient funding, continued work on the Master Plan could commence soon after Phase 1 is complete. However, it may be necessary to delay continued work on the Master Plan plan until sufficient funds have been raised.

Phase 1 is being funded by existing reserves. Phases 2 and 3 will require a capital campaign.

No, the mortgage on the existing building is paid off, and we own the property and the building outright.

The Phase 2 Building Addition will house a new Fellowship Hall, with Prep Kitchen and Pantry, four (4) Classrooms, Flex Space, Restrooms and other support facilities in a two-story structure with a total area of 8,200 SF. The Fellowship Hall (2,360 SF) is large enough for banquet seating of 144, with a maximum occupancy of 337 people.

Phase 3 will increase the size of the Sanctuary by expanding into the adjacent spaces, creating a 3,906 SF worship area with seating for between 360 - 400.

· New doors to improve circulation flow into the Sanctuary, with Portico or covered entry on the South Elevation

· Conversion of the Fellowship Hall into a new Narthex or Entry Foyer

· Renovated Chancel to allow for the expansion of the seating capacity in the Sanctuary (±275 seats)

· Relocation and renovation of the office suite to centralize location

· Relocation of the Library to be adjacent to the office suite

· Conversion of existing offices into a classroom and storage area

· Renovation to the existing Library into a classroom

· New finishes for the Sanctuary, Narthex, and Office suites

· New lighting for the Sanctuary and Narthex

· Steeple replacement

Our Interior Design Sub-Committee has created guidelines and goals for interior design. Essentially, our building should reflect our values and who we are as a church: friendly, welcoming, traditional, reverent, and family-oriented.

In the sanctuary, we want to remove barriers and distractions so that the focus can be on worship. This will include adequate lighting and A/V support. The interiors should be timeless, subtle, warm, and simple but elevated.

Office spaces should be clean, welcoming, intuitive, and functional. There should be unity without uniformity between all the rooms in sanctuary wing.

At this time the steeple is scheduled for replacement but may end up simply being refinished for cost-saving measures.

The circular stained glass window, or “rose window,” is not part of the new design plan. We know this window is beloved by some; please rest assured that we will carefully and thoughtfully honor the rose window and its history in some way.

Based on LuVerne Hoover's careful analysis of the checkout history from the past decade, all of the Christian classics and the most widely-used titles in circulation will remain.

The existing library will be turned into a multi-use classroom.

Yes. In Phase 1, Classroom 1B and Classroom 2 will become new offices, and the Fellowship Hall will be converted into a Narthex. However, two classrooms (where Jacob’s office currently is and in the current library) as well as two smaller conference rooms/meeting spaces (in the new library and in a portion the current Classroom 2) will be added.

Please contact Building Committee Chair Bud Siniard at uplandleather@gmail.com.