Project Overview
In April 2018, the board authorized the exploration of a new sanctuary and an initial phase of a capital campaign. Over the next five years, we raised $1,796,238 in pledges to three sanctuary campaigns plus special fundraising, and we received a $250,000 grant from the Spirit Level Foundation. During this time, we encountered significant delays and cost increases, but we are finally ready!
In June 2024, the congregation authorized:
- Approve construction of a new sanctuary with a cost not to exceed $3,020,000.
- Authorize the Board to enter into a long-term mortgage in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
- Authorize the Board to transfer $100,000 from the Operating Fund to the Sanctuary Fund.
- Approved loans from the Endowment Fund of up to $200,000 in future years to support the mortgage.
Where We Are Now
We have a signed contract with our general contractor, Hoffman & Associates, and the building permit is approved and ready to be issued. Hoffman is doing all the planning and staging necessary to make it happen, and the Sanctuary Construction Committee is working to prepare our site for them.
What Happens Next?
Groundbreaking took place on Sunday, September 1, 2024, in the courtyard after the worship service. Please enjoy this article in the Daily Pilot/LA Times about the groundbreaking and former use of the structure. Construction is scheduled for ten months, but that is just a schedule and not a guarantee!
What Can I Do?
Make and pay a pledge to the Sanctuary Fund! The link to donate or pledge is here. We will continue to welcome pledges throughout the construction process.
Follow the rules! Please consider the construction fence the boundary of our property which we must not go inside. As construction proceeds, things may be dangerous, fragile, or wet, and none of us should be in there. Craig Spery, as Chair of the Sanctuary Construction Committee, is the only person authorized to give direction to the contractor for us on this project.
Bring your patience, flexibility, and understanding. Construction rarely proceeds exactly as projected, and we trust everyone will help stay in right relations.
How Can I Get Updates?
We have a webcam focused on the construction site that may be accessed below and here.
There will be weekly Blast articles and Blog posts, as well as monthly REACH articles.
On the first Sunday of each month, there will be a project update as part of announcements.
Members of the Sanctuary Construction Committee, Craig Spery (Chair), Debra Quam, Audrey Prosser, Barbara Morihiro, Bob Loeschen, Jennifer Thomas, and Nancy Loughrey can be contacted with specific questions.
What's The Bad News?
Construction does carry some inconveniences. During the period of construction, we will not have the use of about half the courtyard, the pergola will no longer have electricity, and there will a construction trailer, storage sheds, and porta potties in some of our parking areas. We will be moving the picnic tables and probably the coffee area.
After the first of the year, there will be times where further access will be limited. We must upgrade the two ends of our driveways to be fully accessible and the new courtyard surface will go all the way to the doors of Suite 7 and the Christian Scientist suites. While they are being built, we estimate limited access for about three weeks each. While the driveways are under construction, we will only have access to the parking lot from Adams Ave. We are working with the Christian Scientists to accommodate their needs and will provide more information when we have it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do we need a new Sanctuary?
The goals and purposes are:
- Provides worship space that is meditative, tranquil, spiritual, and inspirational.
- Allows for fostering growth of the congregation and increases our influence in Orange County.
- Promotes community outreach through church-hosted concerts, film series, educational opportunities, and lectures.
- Provides for opportunities to generate rental revenue by serving as a site for weddings, etc. and for sharing worship space with other congregations.
2. What will we build?
We propose to demolish the two-story building currently used by the Ukrainians and completely rebuild it as a stand-alone sanctuary. More renderings are at the bottom of this page.
Updated Architecture Renderings
Check out the new renderings of the new sanctuary (August 2021) in the gallery below! There have been some changes, such as one center screen instead of two, using the blue chairs we already have, and a smaller overhang outside the main door, but these are generally accurate.
