Next Step Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
Presented at the Parish Annual Meeting February 26, 2006.
Q: Why does Chapel of the Cross need more non-worship space?
A: The parish Long-Range Planning Committee, after a two-year study, concluded in 2004 that we have inadequate space for fellowship, classrooms, staff and the many ministries that use the church buildings.
Q: Why should the parish put its resources into facilities
when there are so many human needs that we should be serving?
A: The Chapel of the Cross has a long-standing mission of
ministry to the University and the surrounding community, and that will continue.
Much of that ministry is space-related, both for our own outreach organizations
and for the 50-plus community groups that use our facility throughout the
day and into the evening hours. A larger facility will enable us to expand
our ministries in the future. These are facilities in which we form future
generations of parishioners and leaders for the Church, who will strengthen
our outreach.
Q: Why not renovate the Battle and Yates buildings rather than replace them with a new structure?
A: There are numerous reasons to consider new construction rather than renovation, including:
- Floor space. To get maximum new space, we need to excavate a full basement and add a third floor. We cannot do that with the existing buildings.
- Floor height. Existing spaces have inadequate floor-to-ceiling height. If we retain our existing buildings, any additions would be forced to either match the existing heights or create multiple sets of stairs between old and new buildings.
- Interior flow. The current buildings would impede flow from the worship spaces to the new Fellowship Hall.
- Cost. Cost of renovating the existing structure -- including upgrading aging infrastructure such as heating, air conditioning, telephone, electrical and plumbing -- would offer no savings over construction of new space.
Q: Won’t we lose an important part of our historical context if we replace the Battle Building?
A: Our history is tied to our University Ministry and to our worship spaces. The Chapel and Church were designed by nationally renowned architects and have remained relatively unchanged over the years. By contrast, our parish hall is not marked with any architectural distinction and has changed so much that none of the original structure remains today.
Q: The Next Step Committee has stated a commitment to “green” principles of design and environmental stewardship. Isn’t it better stewardship to maintain existing structures and renovate them, as opposed to tearing down existing buildings and building new ones?
A: Maintaining and renovating existing structures is surely one principle of “green” or sustainable design. But it is one among many others. Other principles include energy efficiency, water conservation, good indoor air quality and natural lighting. The Yates and Battle wings fall far short on these principles.
Q: Would we lose parking spaces in the proposed plan?
A: Yes. The current number of parking spaces is not adequate to meet our needs even if the number of places is not reduced. The architects and the NSC have taken considerable care to make sure we lose as few spaces as possible.
Q: Would we lose trees in the proposed plan?
A: Very few, if any. Our courtyard will increase in size. In addition, given the design of the proposed building, the church will be opened up to the light and the trees in the Arboretum, as well as landscaping proposed for the Morehead. So in many ways, the landscaping could have a net gain rather than a loss.
Q: How much will all of this cost, and how will we pay for it?
A: Rough estimates have ranged from $5 million for a fellowship hall alone to $18 million for a full-blown facility that would meet long-range program needs for decades. The design work anticipates construction that could be done in two phases or more, perhaps sequentially or separated by years.
Q: We’re not a wealthy parish. How can we possibly raise that much money?
A: We honestly do not know, at this point, how much money we can raise. The answer to that question will be determined by a combination of capacity within the parish, commitment to the project and willingness to support it, and readiness to do so. A committee is being formed to explore the best means of testing feasibility for a capital campaign. We do know that we, as a parish, have been incredibly blessed in recent years financially, as in so many other ways. Our Bishop and clergy have encouraged us to think in terms not of a theology of scarcity, but of abundance.
Q: Will I have an opportunity for input into these plans?
A: Yes. There will be a follow-up meeting on Sunday, March 5, from 1-3 p.m. in the church parlor. In addition, Next Step Committee members will be meeting with various parish groups over the next two months, including parents, the Men’s Breakfast and neighborhood groups. If you would like us to meet with you, contact any member.
Q: How final are these plans?
A: This is a draft Master Plan design put out by the committee for parish and Vestry consideration. We welcome and encourage feedback and will make changes based on your input. A final recommendation will be presented to the Vestry at is annual retreat on May 12-13.
Last updated: March 1, 2006
