Why Igniting Opportunity?
An Account of Our Building Progress
The congregation of Opportunity Presbyterian Church, which was formed March 2, 1913, built its firstchurch in 1919, completed an addition in 1949, dedicated its second sanctuary in 1958, and connected those buildings with a two-story wing in 1968. But consideration to replace those structures with the current building complex began in 1997.
Such action did not come on a whim. It happened out of necessity, after intense study and debate, with diligence and fund-raising, all of it supported by prayer.
- Necessity: Aging infrastructure and equipment, including the furnace system, needed to be replaced; county codes demanded upgrading; deteriorating areas in the oldest part of the building were in use but their condition was repellent; the widening of Pines Road had brought traffic closer to the buildings; air conditioning, increased technology capabilities, better children?s facilities and space all were needed.
- Study: A Capital Improvement Team, appointed by Session in 1997 to assess the situation, recommended an architectural study. Tan Moore Associates submitted a renovation/design proposal in June 1999, one aspect of which was to turn the interior layout of the sanctuary by ninety degrees so that the chancel was on the north side of the building.
When that proposal met with little favor, a Blue Ribbon Committee was appointed in September 1999 and, after study, congregational input and prayer, the committee recommended that the church itself remain at the current site, that it demolish parts of the existing buildings, construct a new sanctuary, classrooms and offices, and remodel/update the rest. Session adopted the proposal in October 2000 and the congregation approved it early the next year.
- Diligence & Fund Raising: Remodeling of existing areas began in late 2001; the gym became the sanctuary and offices were moved to an adjoining trailer; new construction began in 2002. A major fund-raising campaign began that year, using “Imagine Opportunity” (with its potential accomplishments) as a theme; pledges for the following three years reached $1.3 million dollars, and giving exceeded pledges.
By May 2004, the church was finished, furnished and dedicated, and the following year the second of three planned campaigns was conducted, using the theme “Unlocking Opportunity” (to its promise and possibilities). Pledging totaled $1,289,000, an amount more than that predicted by Generis, the professional fund-raising service assisting in the drives.
Instead of conducting the third campaign as planned for 2008-11, OPC asked members to continue giving what they had pledged for the second campaign together with their general fund offerings, with all to be combined into a single fund for the general budget and loan repayments.
However, the need for a third campaign became apparent and now we are in the midst of “Igniting Opportunity” (to infuse the congregation with renewed enthusiasm and joy), with a goal of improving the church’s financial position and substantially reducing the amount of principal owed to Aztech Electric as part of our building debt. Meeting that objective has been greatly expedited by the generosity of Andy and Connie Dahlman, who have offered not only to waive interest payments during that time, but also
personally to match every dollar given by the congregation with a dollar of their own, essentially doubling members’ own contributions.
With this opportunity, the congregation will demonstrate that “Igniting Opportunity” is more than a campaign theme–it is a noteworthy chapter in the history of the church.