It Takes the Whole Congregation to Build a Church

 

 

The Unitarian Universalist
Church of Fresno
Clovis, CA 93611
February 24, 2008
Prepared by Jack Pitt
Cover Photo: Howard Watkins
Cover design: JohnWiens

 

Herein is a glimpse of how we, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, left our location on Millbrook Avenue and built a new home in which our vision of religious freedom might further flourish. The journey from Millbrook to Alluvial is a journey with a thousand stories, stories of personal dedication, stories of determined leadership, stories of generosity, patience and hope. *

This telling of the story has three purposes. One is that it will be of interest in itself especially to present and future members of our Church. Another is that it embodies an easily accessible record of many of the actions of individuals, committees and the entire congregation as the process of arriving at our new home unfolded. Thirdly it may be that this account of how one church “did it'' will be of partial guidance to other groups with similar projects in mind.

During the eighties the Church on Millbrook had expanded by adding a foyer, a new kitchen, a patio deck and a Yurt for classroom use. In 1991 the Emerson Room was created out of an existing shed also for classroom use. Some of these improvements had been financed by selling off a portion of the property. In the late nineties plans were drawn up for an additional bathroom and two permanent classrooms on the north side of the property.

It was at this time that further building on the reduced acreage came under heightened scrutiny. There was reluctance to put more money into Millbrook without reaching consensus on the long range future of the Church. The alternatives were to expand on Millbrook, to find an existing facility elsewhere or, and no one thought this to be likely, to buy land on which to build.

In 1998 the Reverend Bryan Jessup joined us as our minister and the facility problem took on added energy and focus. Our initial inclination was to find a place south of Shaw.

On July 2, 2000 a congregational vote to make an offer on the Home Church at Fruit and Dakota failed by four votes. This same church became available again in 2002 but as we were considering it once more the Fresno Unified School District declared eminent domain. Earlier we had entered into conversations with the people at The First Church of God on First Street and later there was a negative vote on property at Fowler and Escalon. In the spring of 2001 when we were preparing an offer for the Elks Lodge off Barstow on Diana the seller withdrew the property from the market.

Our luck changed when our Music Director, Lorenzo Bassman, went to his dentist. This good man told Lorenzo of a private home on Alluvial between Chestnut and Willow which would soon be on the market. Lorenzo dutifully passed this along and soon Les Reid and then President Kathy Long-Pence were convinced that this property, belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Ross Oberman, should be brought to the congregation's attention. Amazingly the property immediately west of the Oberman's, belonging to Mrs. Zella Woods, also became available just then.

At a congregational meeting on September 22, 2002 we decided, with a favorable vote of over 95%, to buy both properties which together comprised 5.1 acres. After much hustle and bustle by Kathy, Les, Nancy Richardson and Tom Richardson the deal was closed on October 17, 2002 . Purchase of the Oberman property was made possible with funds raised in our Down Payment Drive which included a generous bequest from Marie Emmal This drive was headed by Betsy Temple and Vernon Crowder during the previous year. The Woods' property was secured by a loan from seven members of the congregation acting as independent investors.

Our sudden status as new property owners with two empty houses on the land and a large orange grove stimulated the formation of the following five committees to plan physically and spiritually for our new home.

The first task of the Committee on Architectural Design (CAD) was to select a project architect. This required knowledge of the wishes of the congregation and the formulation of a comprehensive rating system. By April of 2003 CAD had received a goodly number of expressions of interest with sample documentation from a number of architects, and had visited buildings in the Valley and on the coast. By June it had zeroed in on the architect it wished to present to the Board. This architect, Katie McCamant, appeared for an interview with the Board which culminated with the unanimous recommendation that she be the architect for the Alluvial Project. On June 15, 2003 the congregation confirmed this recommendation with only one negative vote.

Perhaps only those who have been through such a process can realize what a remarkable democratic achievement this was. Looking back it all may seem a natural even obvious progression. Working through it, however, we felt like jugglers on the high wire.

We now had two churches on our hands, where we were and where we were going. We would be on Millbrook for four more years and improvements were necessary. One involved the purchase and installation of a modular structure to be called Horsley Hall in recognition of Neil Horsley who had taken charge of this project. It arrived in early April without interior walls, electricity or plumbing. These deficiencies were corrected by Neil, George Burman, Al Goodman, Gray Hughes, Bill Murphy, and Nancy Tholen. Horsley Hall was officially opened May 18, 2003 . In addition to providing better classroom space for the children and for the Youth Library, the cramped conditions of the office staff were greatly alleviated.

Remarkably the Millbrook church had never had air conditioning, a circumstance which effectively eliminated summer services. During the summer of 2003 a committee consisting of David Boos, George Burman and Dick Richardson researched the issue resulting in excellent units being installed by George Burman and Neil Horsley before the fall. This greatly enhanced the possibility of subsequently selling the facility.

On June 13, 2003 our architect, Katie McCamant came to assist us in creating a Program Design that would spell out the specific goals, priorities, capacities, criteria and activities we envisioned for the Alluvial property. Several months of discussion resulted in the architect delivering to us in September 2003 a forty-five page report that formed the basis for several congregation meetings on the above topics. A revised copy of this report was accepted by the Board. In formulating this document, members of CAD were assisted by Ellen Grunebaum, Joyce Huggins, Adeline Marchini, Richard Moats, Benton Randolf, Pat Reeves, Jacob Sacks, Geoff Smith, Nanette Stormberg, Al Goodman and Bryan Jessup.

Indicative of the hurdles ahead was Katie's observation that we would need to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, an Environmental Assessment a Flood Control District Review, a Traffic Impact Study, a Topological Survey, and a Community Outreach Study. It was George Burman, our Project Manager, who would steer us through the shoals of such bureaucratic challenges, and who worked constantly with our architect and the construction supervisor.

Also in June 2003 the Gateway Committee, (Babs Eskin, Jim Franklin, Bryan Jessup, Jack Pitt, Clare-Marie Wall and subsequently Presidents Long-Pence and Temple ), metamorphosed into the Alluvial Steering Committee (ASC). The Gateway Committee, meeting weekly at the Aladdin Cafe since September of 1999, had helped keep the new facility idea actively present in the consciousness of the Church during a barren and difficult period. The ASC, formed after the purchase of the Alluvial property, was initially composed of Rich Berrett George Burman, Babs Eskin, Karen and Al Goodman, Ellen Gruenbaum, Bryan Jessup, Jody Palmer, and Jack Pitt. Later members included Nancy Richardson, Tom Richardson and Betsy Temple.

With the Program Design completed it was time to formulate a Schematic Design for the Alluvial Property which would include a site plan, a floor plan and elevation drawings. On January 20, 2004 Katie McCamant and our recently selected landscape architects, Bob Boro and Richard Vaillancourt, met with ASC and others to examine their draft of the Schematic Design. Changes were made and the result was presented to the Board which approved it without reservations. Large colored rendering of the entire project plus a three dimensional model were made available to the congregation. On February 22, 2004 the congregation approved the Schematic Design with but two dissenting votes.

For some time the Capital Campaign Team had been doing the nuts and bolts work for launching a capital campaign drive. This included engaging a consultant, Jeri Moulder, to conduct a Financial Feasibility Study in order to gage the fundraising capacity of the congregation. The upshot of this was that the Board recommended to the congregation on April 4, 2004 a capital campaign goal of $2M. This was approved and a Capital Campaign Kickoff was held on May 22. At that time $1.55M in pledges had been raised.

Throughout 2004 and 2005 there was a great deal of research into the technology of Building Green. We were fortunate in being able to consult the United States Green Building Council, a coalition of leaders from across the building industry who are working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible. They had developed a Green Building Rating System called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). This system is a voluntary, consensus-based standard for developing high performance sustainable buildings. There are objective tests of the environmental efficiency of roofing systems, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems with points awarded (or denied) according to third party (LEED) verification.

The Church registered with LEED in 2004 by way of walking the environmental talk and was to become a leader in the green building movement. No other church in California has signed on to this nationally established way of measuring success in building green and we were the first LEED project in Fresno. One highlight in our effort to build green was an agreement signed with Solar Power Partners for a 40 kilowatt photovoltaic solar system which will generate 95% of our electrical needs over a year's time. This is a Power Purchase Agreement involving the generation and sale of electricity by them as the owner of the solar system generating the electricity, and us as the buyer. Among other environmentally significant features instituted were recycled steel, a bamboo dais, and drought resistant plants with drip irrigation.

Such efforts resulted in a unanimous commendation from the Fresno City Council (January 11, 2005) which praised, “The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno for its pursuit of a LEED Gold certified building and for taking the lead in providing a beautiful, safe and environmentally responsible place of worship for Fresno citizens." The Pacific Gas and Electric Company also recognized us ( October 17, 2007 ) with an award of $17,575.

Early in 2005 CAD met with our architect and Eric Bower (our cost estimator and subsequent general contractor), to determine what portion of the architect's Master Plan for Alluvial could be built with the funds available. This portion turned out to be the infrastructure (for the entire property), the sanctuary with foyer and vestry, a large kitchen, three bathrooms, two double-wide moveable buildings for class rooms and a Youth Library, and a remodeling of the remaining house on the property for offices, a nursery, a Youth Center and storage. It also includes much landscaping and furnishings. Guiding us was a commitment to the Design Program adopted in September of 2003, the Schematic Design approved February 22, 2004 , and the requirements for LEED certification.

At a congregational meeting on March 13, 2005 the congregation approved the scope of work and design for this portion of the Master Plan. The cost estimate for this project was $3.375M. It also approved an extension of the Capital Fund Drive which eventually reached the projected $2M. Thirdly there was approval of the intention to sell the Millbrook property with the funds going towards construction at Alluvial. This complex motion was passed with but one Nay vote and three abstentions.

By June 2005 the Alluvial Project had entered the Design Development phase in which Katie and general contractor Eric Bower (BMY) began making decisions just how construction would occur regarding roof materials, window types, plumbing and electrical alternatives, floor coverings and wall colors and textures. During this time Eric was continually refining cost estimates as decisions were made as to materials to be used. Katie and CAD reviewed reports from mechanical and electrical consultants and worked together to ensure we were on the right track structurally, functionally and aesthetically.

At the beginning of 2005 ASC had appointed a sub-committee, Financial Aspects of Construction Team (FACT), to develop a financial plan commensurate with the costs of our project After considerable research into costs and resources FACT was able on September 25, 2005 to present to the congregation a motion to authorize a construction contract based on a construction budget not to exceed $3.7M. This tripartite motion was also to authorize a commitment to a construction loan to be converted into a mortgage in an amount sufficient to fund the project and to initiate sale of the Millbrook property. The vote was 82 in favor, 3 opposed and 1 abstention. In all congregational votes an 80% favorable response had been set to convert the motion into action and this minimum was always comfortable exceeded. Freedom must have a place to stand and we said we would ensure there was one.

This vote enabled the preparation of construction documents after which the general contractor (Eric) initiated the bidding process with sub-contractors. This would result in a Guaranteed Maximum Price with the contractor which in turn would enable us to negotiate a construction loan with a financial institution. Initial members of FACT were Betsy Temple (Chair), Al Goodman, Doris Lang (then Board President), Pat Looney-Burman, Ellen Gruenbaum, Jody Palmer, Les Reid, Tom Richardson and Ellie Stokle. Also at this time the Alluvial Building Team was formed with Board approval to be the Church's voice in interacting with contractors, consultants, financial institutions, and municipal agencies during construction. Members were George Burman (Project Manager and Chair), Al Goodman, Ellen Gruenbaum (then current Board President), and Betsy Temple.

Unfortunately this September 25th vote had to be revisited. In August 2005 there had occurred the devastation of the Gulf Coast caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This required reexamination of both the financial plan and the Design Development plan. The nation's building industry had been rocked by unprecedented demand for construction material needed in the recovery effort, by the rapid escalation of fuel and energy prices, and by the decline in the availability of raw materials and manufacturing capacity.

This catastrophe resulted in construction costs rising by 11% or $400,000 to a figure that exceeded the $3.7M limit approved by the congregation as noted above. Thus the contractor was asked to prepare a list of features in the initial design that could be modified or eliminated without harm to the aesthetic and functional features of the design. This review enabled a reduction of the initial construction cost estimate of $120K, but this still left us over the $3.7M limit and further cost cutting had to occur.

It was not until April 9, 2006 that is was possible to hold a congregational meeting on a new financial plan and the altered Design Development Plan. With then President Ellen Gruenbaum in the Chair, Betsy Temple as Chair of FACT gave a review of the financial plan. The motion before the congregation was as follows:

Resolved that the Congregation accepts the Financial Plan presented and authorizes the Board to commit to:

Voting by secret ballot took place with 91 Yeas, 3 Nays and 4 abstentions. This was a heartening verdict in the light of the enormous effort that had gone into bringing the Alluvial Project this far.

An agreement to sell the Millbrook property, contingent on congregational approval, had been reached late that March. As noted the selling price, which included Horsley Hall, was $825,000. The agreement to lease back was initially until the end of May but was extended until the end of July. The great virtue of the rent back was that it avoided a double move. Karen Goodman chaired the Millbrook Task Force charged with reaching this agreement.

Now it was time to roll up our sleeves. On Sunday May 21, 2006 a Ground Breaking ceremony was held at the site of our new home on Alluvial with architect Katie McCamant present and inspiration provided by our musical group Stolen Thunder led by Lorenzo Bassman. Clearing and grading began May 30th. Jody Palmer led the effort to save as many trees (pomegranate, crepe myrtle and others), as possible, Jody also arranged for the sale and removal of many of the palm trees on the Alluvial property. This netted us $4500 and helped prepare the land for construction. A fifty foot high Chinese pistachio was moved fifty feet eastward so as to allow for the circular driveway coming in from the street. George Burman found a man who moved the house on the east side of our land to his farm in Tulare .

 

On July 24, 2006 Jody Palmer and David Oulton, as Board Members, signed the papers for the Alluvial Construction Loan presented by Jeff Pace of Central Valley Community Bank, Betsy Temple, Chair of FACT, and Ellen Gruenbaum, Past President, had worked out the details of the loan. Highlights are as follows:

During September and October of 2006 Neil Horsley oversaw the acquisition and arrival of two moveable classroom buildings Together they contain seven classrooms (including one large room that can be rented out), the Youth Library, and a bathroom accessible from the playground. When these structures arrived they were just shells that needed to be divided into rooms. We were, then, glad to welcome the offer of Shawn Kline to provide the materials and labor for this purpose. These classrooms also needed be settled into their permanent foundation, receive new paneling and sheeting, get new windows and doors and have electricity and plumbing installed. This was done with the sweat equity of George Burman, Saul Eskin, Bob Gibson, Neil Horsley, Linda Knight and Dick Richardson. Gail West and Chuck Mason painted the classrooms.

In the middle of October 2006 the tilt-up walls of the sanctuary went up and gave us our first three dimensional sense of the facility. Throughout the fall and spring of 2007 buildings were framed, wired and plumbed. Jim Askew generously volunteered to provide and install shelves and cabinets in the offices, the kitchen, the Youth Library and the Bookstore. Months of sweat equity by many participants went into reconfiguring the remaining house into offices, a nursery and storage areas. To literally top it off a new roof was put on just as we were moving in.

Suddenly the reality of moving was upon us, an event coordinated by Wilda Moller and Jack Pitt and which occurred on July 30, 2007 . Wilda, Betty and Ken Cornelisen, David Firth, Eric Glasrud, Sheli Glasrud, Bette Head, Valerie Johnson, Pat Moore and David and Glenda Roberts packed up the old kitchen and arranged the new kitchen. The stained glass windows created by Andrea Moore in the Millbrook sanctuary were removed, and were replaced before nightfall by George Burman, Bob Gibson and Neil Horsley. They were stored at the homes of Linda/Sy Mack and Pat Pickford. The Turcot Memorial at the front of the sanctuary was stored with Denise Sciandra. Pat Moore oversaw the moving of the Morris Huggins Memorial Garden . Leslee Weaver and Judi Kralevich took care of the Office while Aubree Smith did the same for Religious Education. Jo Fox, Dianne Hanzlicek, Nancy Hatcher, Bette Head, Ken Mah, and Sydney Story saw to moving the Bookstore, while Lynette Bassman, Barbara Cutright Jo Fox, Nancy Hatcher, Linda Knight, Linda Mack, Judy Parker, Denise Sciandra, Salvatore Sciandra and Linda Spaulding saw to moving the Youth Library. David Firth handled the tables, chairs and maintenance items, while David, Lorenzo Bassman and Mike Reilly took care of the sound/lighting equipment and the piano. Barbara Cutright moved the Greeter/Usher items in the foyer.

It was impossible to have our new home ready for us, but we had to get out from under the $5000 monthly charge for renting back the Millbrook property. The most severe problems were those faced by Aubree in Religious Education and Leslee in the Office. Typical obstacles elsewhere were obtaining permits, satisfying City inspections because of extensive remodeling and getting carpeting down before furnishings could be arranged. Assembling the children's play station from thirty boxes of shipped materials with indifferent instruction was another challenge. Furthermore there were numerous additional tasks such as appropriate signage and the door lock/security systems engineered by Bob Gibson.

Parallel with the construction and moving was the enormous effort by Jody Palmer, Linda Knight with many helpers, to whip the landscaping into shape. This included the planting of Memorial Trees along the Affirmation Walk leading to the sanctuary and in the rear patio along with Landscaping Trees on the east side of the property. On the Affirmation Walk Five Memorial Plaques were placed citing our Affirmation.

On August 4, 2007 Bryan Jessup, who had been holding the spiritual ship together during these momentous times, led the Pilgrimage to Alluvial on foot and carrying a volume of Emerson. Many went by foot, bicycle or car for a welcoming gathering and a Blessing in our new home. The next day saw the first service in these new surroundings, a Potpourri organized by Music Director Lorenzo Bassman It was attended by 400 people. We had arrived though it would be several months before we could consider ourselves moved in.

Soon the sanctuary was enhanced by a fine new chalice sculpted by Saul Eskin and a splendid tapestry from Gay Amend in memory of her husband Alan. Bill Head revived the moribund Adult Library now housed in the vestry. The classrooms were filled with children. The kitchen was serving Sunday lunches. A new life had begun. We had turned the page.

How did we manage to move from a vague feeling at Millbrook years earlier that something had to be done, to a beautiful and exemplary new campus in a fine location? We came as a united and purposeful congregation and formal, transparent democratic structures were certainly necessary for that achievement. But other ingredients were needed for success notably trust and determination. Though there was concern and apprehension, at no time was there ambiguity in the trust the congregation extended to Bryan, our minister, and the nexus of committees that moved the project forward. And while there was much discussion and agonizing within the leadership, it remained unified throughout. It is worth recalling that all major congregational decisions required over 80% approval and, with the aid of many informational meetings, obtained over 90% approval. What we can justly and joyously celebrate is not only the visual scene before us, but the victory within.

*This account extends from the arrival of Bryan Jessup as our Minister in the spring of 1998 to the first service in our new home on August 5, 2007 . I apologize for any unfortunate errors of commission or omission.

(Inquiries are welcome. Please contact Jack Pitt at pittj@sbcglobal.net or The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno at www.uufresno.org)