1) When are we going to build?
Construction has begun as of August 8th, 2005.
2) What is the schedule for construction?
6 months + / -.
3) Why build now?
1) The plans for a new fellowship hall have been in the making for three years. As serendipity would have it, the market crash of 2000, the terrorist attacks, and the ensuing recession caused the lowest financing rates in 40 years to appear before us. The economy has since recovered, thus, rates have started upward again. NOW is the time of our life to seize this rare opportunity. 2) A second reason for building now is because our New Building Fund is well capitalized. Thanks to donations received by several families, Musical Productions by our own David Vowell, four Yard Sales, and other activities, we are starting off with approximately $215,000.00 in the Bank, and $155,000.00 Pledged in an ongoing Capital Campaign. 3) A Third Reason to build now is the obvious fact that great new developments are being built at this moment. After 147 years of isolation, the town has finally caught up with Kanapaha Presbyterian Church. Thousands of new people and families will be living all around us, and it goes without saying that our membership will grow as a result. We, like three other churches along Archer Road, are acting with foresight to build the facilities to accommodate them. 4) A Fourth Reason to build now is the foundational problems with the old fellowship hall, which had worsened to the point of rendering the building "red-tagged" by the codes department. The old slab had no vapor barrier, thus causing the old building to harbor high humidity, visible interior mold growth, and possibly Radon Gas.
4) How many people use our building regularly?
The concrete block outbuilding which had served as our fellowship hall since 1951 was used by the congregation for Dinners on the Grounds, Yard Sales, Session Meetings, Committee Meetings, Election Polling, Neighborhood Association Meetings, Scout Meetings, and other uses as requested. Although our church has a capacity of 100 persons, and we frequently reach that occupancy, the old Fellowship Hall had a safe capacity of about 35 persons. This precluded the building from being used by most private and civic groups, and dictated that about 2/3 of a full congregation left the grounds when we hosted dinners or other functions. The New Building has a stated occupancy of 100 persons in the Main Hall alone. That figure considers the room to be fully outfitted with round tables and chairs, with room to spare. Chairs alone, the building could legally accommodate up to 267.
5) How many children are presently accommodated in Sunday School?
Presently, we have all children, babies included, enjoying Sunday School activities in the room that houses the library and secretary's desk in McCormick Hall. That number approximates 10 at this time. It is desirable to have a separate room for Babies and for Older Children. The New Fellowship Hall is designed with two classrooms that will completely alleviate this problem. Any overcrowding we see now, will only be more so as we strive to build our membership up to a full compliment of 100 or more..
6) How many are now accommodated for Worship/Fellowship/Education?
Worship: 100, Fellowship:35, Education:10. The new building will allow: Worship 100 per service, Fellowship: 267, Education: Two classes of 10, excluding Nursery.
7) Is the proposed church building the first unit only, or the whole project?
There are no other plans at present beyond this proposal. This does not say that foresight has not been well incorporated into the plans. The New Fellowship Hall has been designed and positioned to accommodate the addition of a roomy Nursery onto the South end at a later date. That is the reason the New Fellowship hall is gabled on the South end. There are no plans to physically alter the historic Sanctuary, beyond the addition of a new doorway. With attendance swelling beyond 80% of our current capacity, a second Sunday service has been scheduled beginning in 2006.
8) What will be the seating capacity of the New Building?
Based on the space and seating designed into banquet halls and hotel ballrooms, our New Building, main hall alone will seat over 100 persons, at round tables, with room to spare. Tables aside, the seating would greatly exceed that figure, at 267.
9) How many Parking Spaces will be provided?
The new building committee found that the congregation values the open green spaces surrounding our church. It remains popular to continue using our extensive field for general parking. We are, however, required to furnish two hard surface spaces at the handicapped ramp for handicapped parking.
10) What will be the project cost, and how will it be financed?
Though a builder furnished us with a rough cost analysis in 2002 that was around $375,000, the actual bid price could not be determined until full engineering and architectural drawings could be made available to construction firms. This is a large multi-purpose building, classified as commercial. To keep it priced about the same as a large house, the new Building Committee did much of the design work utilizing the talents of people in our church such as Hugh Stump, a veteran of the construction business. Architect and Engineers have signed on at a considerably reduced price for their services. The New Fellowship Hall will be financed with the lowest interest mortgage note available: an internal Presbyterian Church note, locking in today’s historically low rates. Repayment of the note will be made from the New Building Fund, which when one includes pledges to date, is approximately $369,000 (11/22/04). It has been expressed by our Presbyterian Capital Campaign Consultant that Kanapaha Presbyterian Church is in a very enviable financial position regarding this new building.
11) What is the value of our present church property?
The value of our church property is difficult to ascertain. We are currently conducting an evaluation of the real estate assets for insurance purposes, however, the real value in our land lies in the fact that our mission is situated in an important crossroads whereby we shall enjoy great success in welcoming new members, and fulfilling the Charge of Christ.
12) What do we owe on our present Church Property?
Kanapaha Presbyterian Church does not have any outstanding obligations pending the construction loan for the new building.
13) How Much Money do we have in the Building Fund?
Approximately $215,000, plus $154,000 pledged over 4 years.
14) What is the overall financial position of the Church?
Excellent. Kanapaha is debt free, and is located in a high growth corridor with high-end residential development underway all around us. Most of the money needed for the New Fellowship hall is either realized, or pledged for.
15) Will a new Church building help the Church to Grow?
YES. The new building will further develop Fellowship by the mere fact that all persons who attend our church will be accommodated in the fellowship hall. No one has to go home for lack of space. For the community, we will be able to offer a first-rate meeting hall to welcome Civic groups, Neighborhood Associations, Elections functions, Musical productions and Concerts, Scout Meetings, Art Shows, Cotillions for Youth and Adult Singles Nights, Wedding parties who frequently inquire of the use of the Sanctuary, but who had always been turned off by the poor appearance of the fellowship hall will now be able to hold their Wedding Reception in the New Fellowship Hall. When members of the community visit the New Fellowship Hall, Kanapaha Presbyterian Church gains exposure, and this helps us to maintain membership! New Congregations have approached us for the use of our sanctuary while they save to build their own church buildings. With the New Fellowship Hall, we will be able to host their worthy requests. Imaginative uses for our New Fellowship Hall will help pay for our New Fellowship Hall, While Growing our Membership!!
16) How can I contribute to the New Building Fund?
You can contribute in several ways:
- A Cash Gift to the New Building Fund is the fastest way to help the most. Contact Evelyn Perry, Treasurer at 371-2917.
- A Pledge is promise to make a gift within a certain timeframe. Pledges represent the Lion's Share of the financing of the New Building. Contact Mark Bowden, Chair, Kanapaha Presbyterian Church Capital Campaign Committee, at 331-4165
- A Bequest could be designated for the future for those who need more personal security at present, but who also wish to ensure that Kanapaha church will continue well into the future. Contact Mark Bowden at 336-9149.
18) Is there a Mission Component?
Yes!! This is the "ulterior motive". We want people to come to Kanapaha. We want them to stay and linger. We want them to get acquainted with this beautiful place, and we want them to become members. Having room to accommodate our own members for Dinners on the Grounds and other Fellowship activities is very important. Having sufficient classroom space is a staple for any respectable Christian Education Program. We have fantastic Christian Ed leadership, and excellent materials, but we just don't have any classrooms. Having our first set of Men's & Women's restrooms will be a high water mark for Kanapaha. Getting more room is not enough reason alone, though. We need to offer lots of exciting events and activities that will make this a special place known among our neighbors in the wider community. When people feel comfortable visiting Kanapaha casually, they will feel FAR more comfortable visiting us for Sunday Services. This is the Mission Component- To Seek and to Serve Christ since 1856, today, and far into the future. With this vision, we are confident that Kanapaha Presbyterian Church will be carefully positioned to continue being a beacon well into the future.
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