FPC Capital Campaign

Transforming Spaces, Empowering Lives A Capital Campaign for our future.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Richmond, VA

Table of Contents 02 A Note from Amy 03 At Present 08 Proposed Projects & Costs 09 Images 13 Leadership 14 Gifts Essential Chart

Created by Kendra Crabtree Cover image by Brik Cash Images by Julianne Tripp

Recently, as my family prepared to host friends in our home, we suddenly saw each room in a new light – the cobwebs in the corners, the door that doesn’t quite shut, the sink that only works if you turn the faucet just right. My family had gotten used to all these things, but now that friends were coming over, we couldn’t help but notice them.

After all, when we invite people into our space, we want them to feel welcome, safe, and cared for.

At FPC, we have an exciting opportunity to update our church home in such a way that all who come here feel a sense of hospitality and belonging. We do this because extravagant welcome is a primary attribute of our God. As we say each Sunday in worship, “we are different because YOU are here, and for that we give God thanks.” And each time we celebrate communion, we emphasize, “This is not FPC’s table, this is God’s table, where all are welcome and Christ himself is our gracious host.”

The Transforming Spaces, Empowering Lives campaign is an invitation to invest in updating and renovating our building to demonstrate God’s welcome and grace through: A parking lot and entrance that are beautiful and bright and easy to navigate; as well as a separate, dedicated Preschool entrance with enhanced safety features; A full, energy-efficient update to aging systems and infrastructure, including HVAC, windows, and the installation of a sprinkler system throughout the building; An expanded Fellowship Hall for gathering in times of celebration or grief; A reconfigured layout that brings all church spaces to the first floor, including the music rehearsal hall, church offices, and multi-purpose spaces which can host programs for outreach and community partners in addition to the church; Securely allocating the majority of preschool classrooms to the second floor; Improved accessibility from the parking near the Lock Lane entrance for those with limited mobility; and A beautiful indoor/outdoor gathering space incorporating the inner courtyard.

This ambitious project will clearly communicate to everyone who comes through our doors our mission to inspire, nurture, and serve God’s people and the world God so loves while seeking to be grounded, growing, and generous disciples of Jesus.

The leadership of FPC is humbled and excited by this transformative opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our building so that all who come here will go forth from this place empowered to share the gospel: good news of great joy for all people.

In faith, hope, and love, Amy

Our Story Every day, the First Presbyterian Church campus provides a vibrant backdrop for our church family to gather for worship, fellowship, circles, youth education, music, a robust preschool and playground, PW events, faith formation, and planning. Our building is in continual use as a place to reflect on our values, nourish our minds and spirits, and prepare us to go into the world and do the work we are called to do.

First Presbyterian is thriving.

As a flourishing Presbyterian church, we must plan for a vibrant future as we seek to stay relevant and provide Christ-centered leadership in a hurting world. Our building is where we fulfill our mission to inspire and nurture disciples of Jesus, so that we can go and serve God’s people beyond our walls. Our community is known for its gracious hospitality, heartily welcoming everyone to join in any activity and be transformed through relationships – with God, with one another, with the greater community. As we learn in the gospel of Luke, we are called to share God’s good news of great joy for all people (Luke 2:10), which means that at First Presbyterian, everyone has a seat at the Lord’s table.

First Presbyterian is welcoming.

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At present Our building layout, entrances, and gathering spaces do not best reflect our gracious hospitality. Our current building layout, design, flow, and function can – and should -- better serve the many ministries in which we are now engaged, including the preschool.

It is challenging for visitors -- and often our own church members -- to know where to go upon arrival at the entrance off the parking lot. Indeed, for those with mobility challenges and families with small children, navigating the stairs can serve as a barrier to attending services, meetings, and other gatherings.

There is not adequate space for us to gather after worship, making the hallways our spontaneous greeting place which is not ideal for welcoming visitors or providing long-time members with opportunities for deeper connection. We lack signage and wayfinding for those coming for meetings, circles, and other gatherings.

First Presbyterian is mindful.

For the past three years, multiple groups have been in prayerful discernment as they have set about the task of assessing and planning how to address the challenges that the building’s current design and layout present. After extensive study, they have put forth their recommendations and initiated the conversation about how to proceed.

Essential renovations to our building would better position us to carry forth these core values and challenge us to care for our space the way we care for one another and the greater community. Even as many churches face difficult issues navigating today’s world, this congregation has good reason to be confident about its future.

First Presbyterian is grounded, growing, and generous.

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Partners One of the great gifts of our space is our generosity with our partners in the community who, otherwise, may not have a space for meetings, celebrations, and programs. For instance, RISC, Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities, often uses our space for planning meetings and large gatherings.

We welcome every opportunity for our space to be part of our support with organizations like the Armstrong Leadership Program (ALP). Just in the last three years, we have partnered with ALP to provide space for An end-of-year ceremony celebrating that year's graduating class in our Sanctuary.

A Senior Shower for those students headed off to college in our Fellowship Hall, setting them up with all the necessities to success.

A concert of the American Spiritual Ensemble with donations going directly to ALP. A community forum on suicide prevention in which ALP students participated.

Left: ALP graduates at the Senior Shower hosted by PW Circle groups; Top Right: Youth Service week; Bottom Right: Elder LaMont Noble at MLK Middle School.

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Beyond our primary outreach partners, our property is used by the community at large: The playground is used by our immediate neighbors and is a wonderful way we connect and give back to our neighborhood.

The First Presbyterian Preschool, our longest-running outreach program, supports our community, with 90% of families from outside the church benefiting from this ministry.

Livestream capabilities extend our reach beyond the walls to folks who would otherwise be unable to participate in worship.

We provide low-cost space for groups in the community, such as the Civil War Round Table and the Women’s Flower League.

Left: Cafeteria workers at Henry Marsh receiving gifts of gratitude; Right: FPC provide for and set up an apartment for Ukrainian Refugees.

These are just some of the ways our space supports organizations making a generational impact in the Richmond community. This capital campaign will improve the accessibility, technology, and hospitality within the building and throughout the property, extending the possibilities of support for our partners and the greater Richmond community.

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We have designed our plans around an overall vision for renovations and projects totaling $12 million. As approved by Session, these plans address the most immediate needs that have emerged through the comprehensive masterplanning process.

Since First Presbyterian Church was established on this site more than seven decades ago, its leaders have continually been mindful of adapting the facility to meet the church’s evolving needs. While the Sanctuary was renovated in 1996, it has been more than 20 years since we made any significant renovations to the building. During that time, our ministries have continued to evolve and grow.

We look back with gratitude for the leadership and generosity that have brought us this far. We are a community with deep roots and generational commitment to this place. Now we are called to make our own lasting contributions and leave an equally enduring legacy for those who will come after us.

Now is our time.

Gracious God, grant your people wisdom to love what you love and desire what you desire; so that even as the world around us changes, our hearts may remain fixed on you, source of all love, peace, justice, and joy. Amen.

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Proposed Projects & Costs Outdoor Environment $4,000,000

Infrastructure $4,000,000

Preschool $2,000,000

Hospitality & Indoor Layout $2,000,000

Reimagine our exterior spaces to allow for better and more frequent use, including: the rear entrance off the parking lot the large playground and safe walkways throughout the parking lot the courtyard by the Sanctuary an accessible entrance off Lock Lane near the handicapped parking a Galilee porch to provide additional and unique gathering space while also increasing the size of the Fellowship Hall

Along with HVAC, technology and electrical systems, ensure that we address all aging equipment and systems Ensure all spaces are ADA accessible

As one of the primary ministries of the church, ensure a safe, dedicated entrance for children and families Improve building security when children are in the building

Increase accessibility for all users Improve wayfinding and signage throughout the building Provide multi-functional areas for gathering Renovate Fellowship Hall to accommodate larger gatherings of our community

Total Proposed Master Plan Cost: $12 Million 5

Covered entry way with ramp.

Interior Parking Lot Entrance

New Entrances and Covered Drive

Grand Corridor

Reimagined Interior Courtyard

Senior Leadership Team

Rev. Amy Starr Redwine Pastor and Head of Staff

Kendra Crabtree Senior Director of Administration

Rev. Josh Andrzejewski Pastor for Spiritual Development

Jason N. Brown Minister of Music & Arts

Rev. Stephanie Hamilton Rev. Derek Starr Redwine Minister of Pastor for Discipleship Congregational Life

Session Class of 2025 Heather Cooper Elizabeth Darling Clark Lewis Ann Nickels Jim Purser Susan McNulty

Class of 2026 Gary Barranger Eone Beck Kathy Harris Shep Haw Charlotte Woodfin

Class of 2027 Kayla Craddock Jim Irby Foster Jennings Christina Luxon LaMont Noble Vicki Warren

Capital Campaign Steering Committee Jay Bryson (Co-Chair), Elizabeth Darling (Co-Chair), Connie Gottwald (Honorary CoChair), Gaylon Layfield (Honorary Co-Chair), Sally Brown, Heather Cooper, Shep Haw, Clark Lewis, Vicki Warren Staff: Kendra Crabtree & Amy Starr Redwine

Master Plan Task Force (Feb 22' - Present) Harry Harris, Clark Lewis, Ann Nickels, LaMont Noble, Lucy Travers, Kathy Watson, & Sarah Wiltshire Staff: Kendra Crabtree & Amy Starr Redwine

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Essential Gifts Chart Gifts of every size are important to the success of a proposed capital campaign. The following chart demonstrates the sizes and numbers of gifts we would need to raise $12 million.

Pledges payable over three years.

Please prayerfully consider your role in our capital campaign.

Every gift matters.

Use this QR code to submit your pledge.

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4602 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, VA 23226 fpcrichmond.org | 804.358.2383

Essential Gifts Chart Gifts of every size are important to the success of a proposed capital campaign. The following chart demonstrates the sizes and numbers of gifts we would need to raise $12 million.