First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh Capital Campaign

On Sunday, January 28, 2007 Pastor Bob Wilson announced to the First Church Congregation that we have entered the beginning stage of our Find Us Faithful Campaign following a unanimous vote by the Congregation at a Church Conference on January 21 to approve the proposed Phase One renovation plan. The planning for this effort has been extensive and began in early 2006 when RSSC Architecture developed a master plan for the renovation of our historic 1893 building and its adjoining 50-year-old Education Wing. Marcia Gruver and David Hounshell, Find Us Faithful Campaign Directors, stated that the financial goal for this effort is to secure gifts and commitments of $1,200,000 (with a stretch goal of $1,500,000) to complete the portion of the Phase One plan that was approved by the Congregation at the Church Conference on January 21st. Gifts to the campaign may be pledged over a one- to three-year period. The goal of $1.2 million reflects a challenging yet realistic goal for our church as we seek to follow God’s will in meeting our renovation plans to expand our ministry and allow us to be responsible stewards of the amazing building God has graciously provided to us. Phase One of the master plan includes the following:

• Renovation of Fellowship Hall and the kitchen, including installing an efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and “green” building features, such as energy-efficient windows, lighting, and ceiling insulation.
• Installation of adequate restroom facilities that respond to the needs of the Congregation and our guests, particularly near Fellowship Hall in the Education Wing.
• Addition of an elevator in the original building, which will make rooms on the ground floor and above the library accessible to those who are physically challenged and bring the church into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Installation of a new, energy-efficient heating and ventilating system in the sanctuary that will yield enormous energy savings. The current grossly inefficient system will be replaced with a new heating and ventilating system that can eventually also handle air conditioning.
• Creation of a central gathering space near the sanctuary. The plan will create two major corridors that will greatly improve traffic flow and make the building more open and light.
• Restoration of a large portion of the historic 1890s building that was covered over or obscured by the 1950s modifications. These changes will reintroduce natural lighting into the building and reveal stained-glass windows darkened since 1957.

First Church has been a beacon of faith and service in the area for more than 100 years. Our location at the intersection of the four very diverse neighborhoods of East Liberty, Bloomfield, Friendship, and Shadyside allows us to share God’s grace and compassion with a diversity of people through various outreach programs and in our partnership with community groups such as First Food and Friends, Shepherd Wellness, Alcoholics Anonymous, Boy Scout and Cub Scout troops, and the Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library. These renovations will benefit members of the Congregation in our spiritual journey, attract new members, and provide spaces for important ministries to community members of Pittsburgh’s East End.