Frequently Asked Questions
The components of our Capital Campaign were selected after many hours of discussion and review by the Elders, the Administrative Team, and an Ad Hoc Committee focused on our needs. Many other individuals such as church staff, maintenance personnel, and other construction experts had input in these discussions. Some of our members have asked good questions about this multi-project capital campaign. This sheet is intended to provide clarity and answer as many questions as possible. If you have additional questions or comments, please send them to Kelly Moore at kelly@4klands.com. Thanks for your interest and support of these important projects.
There are several reasons for this move. They include the following:
The current baptistry has a base made of 55-gallon barrels filled with concrete, and that base is deteriorating. This support structure will not be able to safely support our baptistry in this location and must be replaced or relocated.
The baptistry does not comply with current ADA standards for handicap access.
The space behind the pulpit would be repurposed for storage or added classroom space.
We would need to remove the stained glass and wall behind the pulpit to replace the baptistry in its current location. This would require us to relocate our worship services for several weeks. We do not intend to do anything to the pulpit area and want to maintain its current look.
The cost is about $150,000 more to keep the baptistry in its current location.
Having the baptistry in the foyer let’s people know that baptism is a part of our Christian beliefs.
It may lead to more discussion with our youth and visitors about what part baptism plays in our Christian heritage and beliefs.
This will provide needed space for our members and visitors to safely move about and visit. We currently have a very small foyer in the southwest corner and the large foyer next to the nursery is rarely used. Our plan is to connect these two foyers and create one large space for safe movement and congregational conversation.
We are also planning to add a new circle drive at the main entrance off Bacon Street. This will give our handicapped members and visitors covered access directly into the auditorium. The intent is to create a visible main entrance to our building.
The elders have approved a giving plan that will allow our members to make a 3-year pledge to this campaign. You can give your one-time gift or pledge card to the church office or put it in one of the contribution boxes in the auditorium or by the inside office door. We are now accepting those gifts and pledges and hope to wrap this campaign up by the middle of January 2024. Pledge cards and brochures are available at the tables in the auditorium or can be picked up at the church office. You can also give your gifts or pledge cards to one of the Elders or members of the campaign committee which include, Norman Archibald, Kelly Moore, Justin Harrison, Evan Simmons, Essie Childers, Dan Shepherd or Eric Etter.
In the children’s wing we are moving some existing walls to create larger classroom spaces that align with our new curriculum. We are also adding security measures and additional technology in this part of the building. Jenny Putnam, our children’s minister, has provided detailed information in plans for this area. We will be moving the 4th and 5th grade classes downstairs to the children’s area and they will be using the new curriculum as well.
We are also moving some walls in the youth area upstairs to create space where our students can gather socially and spend non-classroom time together. There will also be additional security and technology added to this area. Lance Parrish, our youth minister, has provided leadership in these changes.
There were a couple of playground locations considered by the committee. The courtyard between the auditorium and the children’s wing was ruled out because of the sewer lines that run through that area, the isolation of that location, and possible future use of that area for building additional classroom space. The area south of the multipurpose room will allow us to incorporate a covered gathering area for outside events along with a playground. The playground will be more secure in that location and will be more visible to the public. This location sends a message that Hillcrest is the church that values families with young children.
Our current plans are to keep as many of the current trees as possible. The architect said we would be able to put in our circle drive without taking out the large trees on the west side of the auditorium. We also think we will be able to build the covered area and playground south of the multipurpose room and only remove one of the smaller trees.
Yes. A wall will extend across the current southwest corner, and doors will be added between the foyer and the auditorium.
A construction calendar is being currently created, and we hope to begin some of the work as soon as January or February of 2024. We believe that it will take approximately 18-24 months to complete all the projects.
First, we fully intend to raise all the needed funds, and based on the gifts we already have, we feel very confident that our congregation will meet the need. Second, there are some smaller components of the campaign that we might fund in a different manner like including it in our deferred maintenance budget. This might include new auditorium lighting or the secured vehicle area.