Church Expansion
Unity Christ Church of Bon Air expects to begin construction on a new church in the summer of 2010. This is several months later than was originally reported due to many changes made to the building plans to align with the church’s budget for the project.
In 2008, the church leadership launched the “Making MORE Room for God” capital campaign to raise funds for a building addition. But in an exciting new development, it was determined that it would be more economical to build a new church on the land behind the existing structure. In February 2009, the church congregation voted to hire Architect Eric Hepler to design plans for the new church and Century Construction to build it. Both the architect and the contractor have church design and construction experience and have worked together on many area churches.
In 2008, congregants pledged a little over $1 million for the church expansion, payable over a three-year period. The church is entering the last year of its capital campaign to raise funds for the new structure. The church is entering the last year of its capital campaign to raise funds for the new structure. In December 2009, the Finance Committee reviewed financing proposals from four banks and made recommendations to the Board. The Board agreed with the Finance Team and in turn, recommended calling a special meeting of the congregation for approval. The congregation met February 7, 2010, and unanimously voted to accept First Market Bank’s proposal because it offered the best terms for a 25-year loan. The new church structure, including other associated costs, i.e. landscaping, sanctuary seating is expected to cost between $1.6 and $1.7 million. The church is seeking a $700,000 loan.
Final details are being made to the building plan, which will be submitted to Chesterfield County for approval. Once approval is obtained, construction will begin on the new church.
In the meantime, the adjacent lot and house owned by the church has been cleared and is being prepared for additional parking to accommodate a growing congregation who attend two services each Sunday.
You can view the plans on a church expansion Web site, Making MORE Room For God, which provides project details, progress reports and photos of project milestones. Check it often as the project is beginning to move along quickly.
It’s not too late to donate. Here’s how.
Yes! You Can Still Make a Commitment or increase your existing pledge to our Fundraising Campaign. It’s not too late – all you have to do is fill out a Commitment Envelope located in the church foyer, which will allow you to declare:
- How much you would like to contribute over three years (over and above your current tithes and offerings);
- How often you would like to pay on that commitment; and
- Through what means you would like to pay.
Or you can make your donation with a credit or debit card through our secure online service.
Sources of personal gifts
Most often when we think of making gifts to the church expansion, we think of giving from income. But there are other sources you may want to consider. For example:
- Publicly traded securities
- Closely-held stock
- Personal property
- Real estate
- Gifts-in-kind
- Paid-up insurance policies
- Charitable Lead Trusts