Building Visions

Update September 2007 After months of negotiations, we have signed the contract with Atlantic Management Group to build our new chapel/multi-purpose space addition.  We have received the necessary approvals of the fire marshal and have presented the project to the Scituate Planning Board, and will shortly be obtaining the permits that will allow us to break ground and start construction.  We have scheduled our ceremonial groundbreaking for October 14 at the end of our worship service, and if all goes well, the addition should be finished by spring.

 As part of the process, some changes to the original plans had to be made.  In order to obtain the fire marshal’s approval, we will be installing a fire alarm for the entire church, not just the addition.  While this did add to our budget, the good news is that we will be compliant with existing state laws for our fire alarm system.  Because of budget constraints, we did have to make some changes to the building itself.  The exterior will now be stained shingles and the roof asphalt, both of a gray color, instead of the original copper.  We have also had to make the foyer slightly smaller, and have lost a small amount of storage space.

Despite these changes—and hard negotiations not to have to make them—our budget is still coming in at about $430,000 (an increase over the original budget of $400,000), not including furnishings.  This will mean we will have to do some additional fundraising.  We are, however, developing different options where you can leave your lasting legacy as part of this addition.  Keep your eye out for details.

 As construction starts in the next few weeks, you will start to see fencing and equipment on site.  Since the addition is located where our current entrance drive is, we will need to re-route traffic through the upper parking lot (which will become the permanent entrance).  There will be some loss of parking spaces and other inconveniences as work on the addition progresses, but we feel this is a small price to pay for something that will enhance our church building, and our church life.

Update January 2007  After services on Sunday, December 5, 2004, Michael Hlady of Fund Consultants presented the results of the feasibility study to assess the will and capability of Shepherd of the Valley to undertake a capital building project and fundraising campaign.  The study recommended that Shepherd of the Valley initiate a capital campaign with an initial financial goal of between $750,000 and $1 million. At a special Charge Conference on Sunday, January 23, 2005, members passed a motion to enter into an agreement with the architectural firm 3SIX0 to produce schematics of proposed church renovations. Drafts were presented to the Building Visions Committee at its meetings on March 9, March 23, and April 6. And on April 11, 2005, the District Committee approved the presentation of plans to a special Charge Conference on Sunday, April 17. At that meeting members voted to proceed with fundraising with a goal of $750,000 to fund Phase A as presented by the architects--to include renovations and additions to the education wing as well as expansion of the sanctuary to the south. The Expanding Traditions fund raising campaign concluded in September, 2005, with more than $400,000 raised in gifts and pledges. 

In a Special Charge Conference on January 3, 2006, church members voted to proceed with adding the chapel/multipurpose room to the north end of the church school wing, and also voted to sell the property at the corner of Hope Furnace and Colvintown Roads to fund future building needs. A "next steps" meeting was held with the architects after church on January 29. A core group from the Building Visions Committee met with the architects through the summer of 2006 as the plans took shape. On September 23 at 11:00 we met with our architects and the District Committee to present our plans for the building expansion and invite their review. The Committee gave verbal approval with a written report to follow.

On October 2, Rev. Gary Shaw, district Superintendent, convened a Charge Conference to approve all plans for the building project. The vote to proceed was unanimous. The District Superintendent stipulated that one more Charge Conference will be necessary to approve financing. That took place on January 3, 2007 as a Church Conference, and the financing plan was approved. The Building Visions group will continue to provide input to the architects as they work through the final design stages and engage a contractor. 

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Those of us who have attended the Building Visions meetings during the past year have had an opportunity to observe the culmination of many years of visioning and planning as the multi-purpose addition to our church takes shape. This is the exciting, culminating stage of the planning process that will lead to groundbreaking (as early as this fall) after final review and approvals by the District Committee and our own Charge Conference.

In these latest planning sessions, options are being narrowed for building materials, heating/cooling systems, entrance and exit configurations, window size and placement, approach and landscaping, number and type of furniture and furnishings, etc. With a close eye on our construction budget of under $400,000, the architects are creating an addition that is attractive as well as functional and a natural extension of our existing building.

In addition to serving as a chapel for smaller worship services and occasional weddings, the addition will accommodate church school classes and meetings for a variety of groups. With this added space, children’s church can assemble all grade levels without fear of disrupting church services in the main sanctuary, and choir practice can be held on a cold winter’s night (or morning) without having to heat the whole sanctuary.

An objective of the architects is to unite utility with architecture. Our architectural firm (3Six0) is working with distinctive lines in both internal and external features that are both pleasing to the eye and effective in creating both a sacred and utilitarian space. Special attention is also being given to window size and placement for effective play of natural light.

Watch for announcements in the bulletin and on this web site for updates and the groundbreaking date.

                                                           --Rob Bower, August 2006