2006
Historic Futures Task Force
Work on the current building project began early in 2006 with the formation of a Long Range Planning Committee, whose task was to consider a long-range plan for the church, in particular its buildings and grounds.
In October of 2006, the Committee submitted a report to Session (link to report) recommending the creation of the Historic Futures Task Force, whose charge was to conduct a “detailed process of discovery and planning” in response to the growing needs of the congregation. Members of the Task Force included: Erma Baker, Neil Corry, Steve Eckel, Pam Eisensmith, Allen Fisher, Jake Jacobs, Bill Nix, Michelle Porter, Charlie Rowe and Ted Williams.
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2008
Steering Committee
In 2008, a Steering Committee was formed to take up the work of the Historic Futures Task Force. Members of the Committee included: Steve Eckel, Al Erkert, Tristin Fidler, Allen Fisher, Barry Jones, Pete Kolakowski, Al Moreau, Bill Nix, Michelle Porter, Beth Rabatin and Charlie Rowe.
The Committee’s original charge was the development of a vision statement for the church and the identification of goals to support that vision. Thus, the Committee began its work by focusing on the question, “Who are we now and who is God calling us to be in the future?” Its work then expanded to include a study of how the church’s buildings and grounds could be renovated to support future ministry and mission.
In July of 2008, the Steering Committee submitted its executive report to Session (link to report). That report contained five main recommendations: 1) Additional parking; 2) increased handicapped accessibility; 3) development of a covered/community entrance; 4) adaptive use of central space, and 5) additional classroom/office space.
The Session was pleased to receive the Committee’s recommendations, but there was a pause in the planning phase at this point due to concerns regarding the weak economy. The Committee’s work resumed in the spring of 2009.
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2009
Concept Development Team
In May of 2009, the Steering Committee resumed its work by beginning the process of soliciting feedback from the congregation through a series of questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. More than 100 congregants participated in these activities over the course of a year.
Later in 2009, the Steering Committee established the Concept Development Team, which held its first meeting in October. Members of the Team included: John Copley, Allen Fisher, Carter Hudgins, Les Johnson, Barry Jones, Mel Middleton and Chris Repp.
The Team was tasked with developing “concepts,” or possible improvements to the church’s campus, based on the Steering Committee’s feedback from the Session and members of the congregation. Those concepts were eventually used by the PCUSA consultant, Robert Kukla, during interviews with sample donors. The results of those interviews were then used to conduct a feasibility study.
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2010
Concept Development Team’s Presentation to Session
The Concept Development Team submitted its findings to the Steering Committee (link to report) in February of 2010. The report contained the results of the Team’s work, i.e., the proposed concepts on which to develop an architectural design. The Steering Committee endorsed the Team’s work, and it was decided that members of both the Concept Development Team and the Steering Committee should join forces to make a presentation to Session.
The presentation to Session was held in March of 2010 (link to minutes). At that meeting, Session viewed preliminary renderings/drawings and voted to authorize the PCUSA consultant, Robert Kukla, to begin a feasibility study.
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Feasibility Study
The feasibility study began in April of 2010 with a meeting that involved approximately 40 selected members of the congregation. At the meeting, congregants were introduced to the concepts and encouraged to provide feedback. The PCUSA consultant then conducted follow-up interviews with the congregants and used the results of those interviews to complete the feasibility study.
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Selection of an Architect
Once the feasibility study was concluded, the Concept Development Team was authorized by Session to proceed with the selection of an architecture and engineering firm. The Team sent out a Request for Qualifications to 10 firms who were known to have experience with historic properties and church projects. The Team received excellent responses from nine of the firms, and eventually selected five firms to be interviewed.
The interviews included structured presentations by the firms, followed by question and answer sessions. Those interviews resulted in the selection of two firms which the Team felt earned higher ratings than the others. The Team then contacted references for the two firms, and after discussion of the results, chose the Charlottesville-based firm of Bruce Wardell Architects. The Session approved the selection at its September 2010 meeting. That selection concluded the work of the Concept Development Team.
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In conjunction with the selection of an architect, a Capital Campaign Committee was assembled, co-chaired by Cater Hudgins and Della Hall, to oversee all aspects of fundraising. Other committee members include: Ed Allison (Advance Gifts), Caroline Deaderick (Hospitality), Jan Erkert (Promotions), Barry Jones (Building), Tracey Rembisz and Bill Nix (Congregational Commitment), and Charlie Rowe (Finance)
The first subcommittee to get up and running was the Building Committee, comprised of members John Copley, Steve Eckel, Harry Farley, Allen Fisher, Carter Hudgins, Jake Jacobs, David Johnson, Les Johnson, Barry Jones, Mel Middleton and Chris Repp.
Also in full swing is the Promotions Subcommittee, which includes members Jan Erkert, Annette Lowery, Lindsay Pargman and Beth Rabatin.
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Session members involved since 2006
Class of 2006
Jeremy Fisher
Susan Harrison
Felicia Hibbeler
Bill Nix
John Oplinger
Anne Rowe
Don Wilson
Class of 2007
Jim Ford
Heather Howe
Donna Hudgins
Joe LeFebre
Tom Lewis
Marsha Luckett
Ted Williams
Class of 2008
Neil Corry
Pam Eisensmith
Bridget Harvey
Maggie John
Michelle Porter
Charlie Rowe
Lynn Simms
Class of 2009
Erma Baker
Bill Baer
Matt Bohmke
Ellie Crane
Tom Edwards
Steve McCullough
Jan Morse
Class of 2010
Mia Day
Steve Eckel
Davis Farley
Robert Fidler
Elaine Hild
Dorothy Mondak
Tracey Rembisz
Class of 2011
Dick Balch
Rebecca Fisher
Porter Blakemore
Scott Fischer
Pete Kolakowski
Annette Lowery
Beth Rabatin
Class of 2012
Johnny Boyles
Barry Hall
Barbara Howe
Carter Hudgins
Betsy Lewis
David Peterson
Class of 2013
Suzi Bevan
Sharon Humes
David Johnson
Lindsay Pargman
Bob Piersall
Doreen Vaughn
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