Building Our Future Together

Our first priority is to eliminate the debt from the exterior Sanctuary restoration. Because of lower costs and generous support, the Building Committee recommended pursuing a second priority, a limited interior renovation to include rebuilding the chancel, expanding the Foyer, and updating audiovisual technology.

We estimate project-related debt will be approximately $3 million, though this may vary depending on several factors. These factors include the final construction cost and the rate of giving, which will impact the principal ultimately drawn.

Texas Methodist Foundation allows interest-only payments for the first three years of the loan. At this time, the Finance Committee is making those interest payments through funds given to the Grace for Generations campaign. Current donations allow us to further delay draws on the loan, thus keeping the principal balance as low as possible. Without a debt elimination campaign, loan payments would need to be made from the ministry plan (operating budget). This would have a significant impact on church programs and staffing.

Exterior construction on the Sanctuary Building is slated for substantial completion this summer.

Click to edit your textThe initial Grace for Generations campaign fundraising goal was $5 million. To date, we have raised $6.8 million, with approximately $400,000 in pledges remaining to be paid. What incredible generosity!

We have applied to be listed on the National Register for Historic Places (NRHP). That process is extensive and time consuming. Our consultant completed the application in May 2024. Once approved by the Texas Historical Commission (THC), the application must be officially certified by the National Parks Service. We do not anticipate any issues that would prevent us from receiving the designation, which will allow us to qualify for the Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program (PTCP) for restoration of historic buildings. However, we cannot apply for the Texas Historic PTCP until the exterior renovation project is complete. This program offers a franchise tax credit of 25 percent on all restoration work completed. While the church does not pay franchise tax, there is a market to sell tax credits to businesses at a discounted rate. We anticipate receiving approximately 22 percent of the total value of the restoration project upon selling our credit.

Tax credits are granted only after approved work is completed and certified. We anticipate our NRHP listing later this year and hope to move forward with the tax credit sale in 2027.

There are cost savings associated with extending the current project and addressing the interior renovations as soon as possible. If we are able to take on the limited interior renovation project, we will seek to begin this over the summer so that it could be completed in time to return to the Sanctuary by Christmas Eve.

While we anticipate that the limited renovations to the Sanctuary’s interior will improve flexibility and accessibility, they will retain the style and character of our historic Sanctuary.

If we complete the limited interior renovation project, we will still need to repair and secure the plaster ceiling, install new dome lighting, remove and restore the pews, restore the floor, and rebuild the organ chests.

Possibly! If we raise enough to complete additional interior renovations, that work may be postponed to strategically minimize time away from the Sanctuary.

Your generosity and response to this campaign will guide our decisions about whether to take on interior renovations. Our Building Committee will continue to work with our architects and utilize congregational feedback we have already received to develop those plans, and the FUMC Trustees will authorize any additional work to be done, in conversation with our Finance and Executive teams.