• Are we able to take significant architectural pieces from the current site like stone work and stained glass windows?

IT IS POSSIBLE TO TAKE the STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS.  The committee has a cost estimate for the removal, restoration and relocation of the 5 large stained-glass windows to the new church site.  We are very likely to incorporate these 5 windows into the design of the new church.

The committee also has a cost estimate to remove and relocate the 38 smaller, medallion stained-glass windows to the new church site, but this is considered as much more optional at this point.

Decisions about the stained-glass windows will be made soon in the context of the overall construction cost of phase 1.

we have not found a cost-effective way to take any stonework from the current church to the new facility.

• How are we going to afford such a large project?

we are utilizing a pHASED APPROACH TO THIS PROJECT, FOLLOWING the MASTER PLAN THAT has already been DEVELOPED AND APPROVED BY THE CONGREGATION.  This allows us to spread the construction cost over time.  BEING WISE STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES GOD GIVES TO US, WE WILL DO WHAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLY ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

• When will we break ground?

this depends on when the congregation approves the construction design, plan and budget/financing plan.  We believe this will happen in the fall of 2019, and if it does, construction can commence in the spring of 2020.  construction will last about 18 months, and It is possible that we would be WORSHIPING in the new SANCTUARY for christmas 2021.

• Will we have pews or seats in the sanctuary?

The committee is contemplating that decision currently.  the design/build team will be presenting information about both options to the committee and sharing with us what other churches have done recently. 

• Will we have enough storage?

  Scott weaver and andy scott did a thorough evaluation of the current church storage (what the storage needs are of each church group) and have presented those needs to the design/build team.  as a result, approximately 900 square feet of unfinished building area has been added to the south side of the new building.  this space could be subdivided and used for different storage needs.  Later it could be converted to finished square footage to be used for a different PURPOSE.  

• How accessible will the new building be to the handicapped members of our church?

  There will be two entrances to the new building both situated in ways to make entrance and exit to and from the building easy.  the drive-through portico at the main entrance  will provide a close drop-off location under cover from the weather.  the secondary entrance is close to the new parking lot at the northeast corner of the property.  Individuals can be dropped off at either location.

  all areas of both facilities, including the communion rail and the chancel, are single-level access with no steps to impede movement. 

• Where will Sunday School be held?

  Sunday School for children will be held in the School classrooms.  Parents will take children to the hallway which connects the church and school before Sunday School begins and sign their children in.  Children will sing together in the School multi-purpose room (MPR) before going to their individual classrooms. 

  Adult bible study will take place in the 2 education rooms in the southeast corner of the new building.  These rooms can also be combined to make a single larger room.

  Sunday school for special-needs adults will take place in the conference room in the church staff area which is close to the main entrance.teachers and participants won’t need to walk far to get there from the sanctuary or the entrance.

• What will happen to the current worship facility on Madison Street after the new church is up and running?

  We don’t know at this point, but one possibility would be to sell the facility so that it can continue to be used as a house of worship. the sales proceeds would be applied to the cost of the new church. 

• Will we move our current pipe organ to the new church?

  Scott Weaver and Nancy Fuemeller have, upon much research, made the recommendation that we purchase an electronic organ instead of moving our current pipe organ. after hearing and playing an electronic organ, they were very impressed by how great it sounded and surprised to learn how much less it will cost to purchase an electronic organ instead of moving our current pipe organ to the new facility.