GROW TO GO
Welcome to the "Grow To Go" Campaign Page.
For many months now we have experienced a full worship space on Sunday mornings. Our elected elders and deacons have been working on a plan to address this challenge. We hope this page will help explain the scope and purpose of those plans as we Grow so that we can Go to planting new churches.
WHY?
(IMAGE IS OUR CURRENT SANCTUARY/LOBBY PLAN)
Firstly, we are running out of comfortable seating. Statistics and our own experience has shown that church attendance typically maxes out at 80% of a sanctuary's seating capacity. At this point, new visitors begin to feel as though a church does not have space for them. Our current attendance is hovering at and is occasionally above that 80% mark. We want to warmly welcome new guests, and more space is necessary to accomplish that.
Secondly, we want to plant new churches. One of the goals of MCC has always been to plant churches. We have identified a target number of 300 in weekly attendance, at which point our leadership believes that we will have enough people to volunteer in order to sustain our current ministry needs. That number will also allow us to identify a church planting core group of up to 50 people who could then begin the search process for a church planter. Our current renovation plans will increase our seating capacity to 396, which would adjust our 80% threshold to 300 people in weekly attendance.
Thirdly, our worship space needs updated. The gospel has application for all of life. Thus we believe that aesthetics matter for both our worship experience and our witness to the community where God has called us. Updating our worship space will aid us in both our worship to God for His glory and our witness to His grace.
HOW?
(IMAGE IS THE ARCHITECTURAL PLAN FOR THE RENOVATED SANCTUARY SPACE)
Our plans do not involve new construction, but a renovation of our current space. As is reflected in the architectural drawings on the right, we will be expanding the length of our sanctuary each direction, providing space to fit 130 more seats than our current space allows. Our front foyer will also be opened up to allow more room for conversation after the worship service on Sunday mornings.
The total cost of this project is estimated at $750,000. The majority of this cost will be paid from our general fund, with any additional required funds being raised either through our Grow to Go Campaign or borrowed from the bank.
Gifts above and beyond regular tithing that are designated for the Grow to Go Campaign will be used to help pay for this project. If you would like to give a gift or recurring gifts, above and beyond your regular tithing, you can send a check made payable to Murrysville Community Church with "Grow to Go Campaign" written on the memo line, or you can give an online gift using the "Give" page on our church website. Please enter an amount and select '"Grow to Go" Campaign' from the drop down menu.
TIMELINE
progress will be regularly updated
Winter 2022 - Attendance at MCC began to rapidly increase. The session and diaconate responded by brainstorming to expand our space in an affordable way.
January 2023 - Session moved to hire Desmone Architectural Firm to design initial renovation plans.
Spring 2023 - Desmone provided multiple options to increase our sanctuary size, adding 130 additional seats.
Summer 2023 - Architectural plans were selected and session authorized the deacons to select a construction company.
Fall 2023 - The diaconate voted to hire Bruce Construction as the building contractor. A building committee was appointed by the session. Our parking lot was re-surfaced and the gravel portion was paved.
Early 2024 - Renovation of our sanctuary will begin on January 6th, and is scheduled to be completed in the Spring.
For a detailed timeline, click here
WOULD YOU GIVE?
The estimated total cost of the project is $750,000. If you would like to give above and beyond your regular tithe to help fund this project, please click the link below! Make sure to select "Grow To Go" Campaign from the dropdown menu.
FAQ
How long will this take?
Our contractor estimates that the project will be completed in four months.
What is the cost?
Total cost including renovation of the parking lot, our front foyer, and sanctuary is estimated to be $750,000.
Who is the architect?
Desmone Architectural Firm. Visit them at desmone.com
Who is the builder?
Bruce Construction was awarded the job though the guidance of Desmone. Visit them at bruceconstructionllc.com
When will construction begin?
Construction is currently scheduled to begin on January 6, 2024
Where will we worship during this time?
While the Sanctuary is unavailable during its renovation, we will temporarily offer two worship services to be held in the Gathering Space, as well as Sunday School classes for all ages. Details including the time of each service are TBD.
CONTACT
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please reach out to growtogo@murrysvillechurch.com. We want everyone to feel heard and affirmed throughout this project so we will take all of your questions and concerns into consideration, and reach out to you in a timely manner.
