Nativity’s building is a tool for spiritual growth and numerical growth. When worship guests are asked what they are looking for in a church, the most common responses are: a place of joy, a place where friendships for all ages are fostered, and a place of significance. People are essential in communicating these things, but the environment around us colors our perceptions and our behavior. In short, our building matters.
A team of people asked the question, does our building help foster and communicate joy, community, and significance? The team realized that our Building fosters Belonging. A safe, accessible, hospitable building that makes good use of God’s resources helps us to connect with God and each other in significant ways, helps us to feel like we belong.
Nativity’s building needs some upgrades to accomplish this. The building has been well used—and that is high praise to God, but repairs and changes are needed.
- We need to make sure that people are safe in the building.
- The flat roof leaks substantially. It has been repaired many times, and now it needs replacing.
- The heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems need upgrades.
- Older windows, some installed in 1964, leak cold air and need to be more energy efficient. All will help us be better stewards of God’s creation.
- The worship space needs more flexible seating to accommodate more activities and more access for people with disabilities.
- Nativity’s main entrance and commons space need upgrades to say welcome.
The Building Belonging Team and Timeline
To address these needs, the Building Belonging Appeal has raised 1.6 million so far, and the building team of Beth Schuman, Pastor Glenn Seefeldt, Brent Lease, Tori Setterholm, Matt Arndt (architect and member of Nativity), Doug Wild, (Principle with BWBR Architects now retired and former member of Nativity and key leader in the 2019 building team) and Paul Frederickson (Chair) have been busy. Below is a summary of what the building team has been doing.
Accomplishments:
- Building Team formed with mission identified as: changes needed in building and campus to address safety, security, accessibility, sustainability and hospitality.
- BWBR Architects selected
- Needs clarified, and concepts presented
- Zeman construction selected from 5 general contractors. Zeman served as general contractor for our 2005 remodel. Construction will allow for childcare and Nativity activities to remain in the building.
- Detailed cost estimates for items on project scope have been received.
In Process:
Tentative timeline developed outlining 3 phases to the project.
Phase 1: Flat roof replacement, HVAC upgrades, and possibly north parking lot work to minimize ice during winter months. Work to begin July 8 with congregational approval.
Phase 2: Replace 1985 wood windows and worship space windows, front entrance windows, HVAC upgrades replacing 40 ton unit servicing the worship space, relocate pews to create flexible seating and disability access, reupholster worship space chairs and pews, add disability access bathroom closer to worship space, redesign of welcome area, new carpeting in lower hallways. With congregational approval, this work will begin after Easter in April 2026.
Phase 3: Note that the following items will be completed when more money becomes available. Improved lighting for SE parking lot and front sidewalk, enhanced and improved lighting for worship space, replacement of fellowship hall carpeting, replacement of fellowship hall folding partition, new carpet and paint in the commons.
Special Projects: The following projects will be completed only if someone donates the money. Front entry canopy to allow vehicles to drop off passengers under a roof. Projected cost: $350,000-400,000. Commons kitchen update. Projected cost: $150,000-180,000.
Completion of Building Security: We have engaged Kingswood Security. Nativity Church and Nativity Child & Family Center staff are involved in the first stage of analysis. After the analysis, we will have a detailed report of what procedural and possible structural changes are needed.
Flat roof replacement is urgent due to substantial leaks. General contractor Zeman recommends we move forward with replacement, with HVAC work completed at the same time to not damage the new roof. Work is scheduled for July 2025 with congregational approval.
Next Steps:
- Members of the Building Team and Building Belonging Team will convene listening meetings with the congregation June 14-15, 21-22.
- A Congregational Meeting to approve phase 1 plans and budget is scheduled for June 28-29 at the end of worship hours.
For more information, you can also read the Building Belonging Update FAQ sheet.