The First Congregational Church of Mansfield Votes to Proceed with Capital Campaign

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
October 11, 2016

Mansfield, OH – The findings of a four-week Feasibility Study, that included 15 Focus Groups, validated to the Church leadership that now is the time to proceed with a Capital Campaign. Leadership voted to approve the recommendations of James D. Klote and Associates, JDK&A, and voted to bring their recommendation before the congregation for final approval.

In a special session of their Congregational Business Meeting, the congregation voted to approve the recommendation of the Church leadership and JDK&A’s recommendation to proceed with a Capital Campaign under the direction of a Steering Committee. The 16-week Campaign will begin immediately.

Senior Minister, Bruce Haapalainen, has this message for the congregation: “First Congregational Church has a message, ministry and mission that is vital for our community and beyond. Our Capital Project will allow us to reach out and build from within. With this project we anticipate going from a well-kept secret to a center for caring and hospitality in our neighborhood and our greater community.

This historic church has been a part of the Mansfield community for the past 181 years.

The first church structure was destroyed by a fire as was the second church structure. The present Church was constructed in the 1951 mostly of steel and concrete. The proposed project calls for the construction of two elevators, several new bathrooms that are ADA compliant and a large foyer with a coffee bar, nursery rooms and library off the sanctuary. Current bathrooms will be remodeled, the parking lot will be renovated, there will be expanded space for future ministry programs as well as climate control and increased security throughout the facility.

The campaign will be directed by James D. Klote & Associates, Inc. JDK&A, a full-time, on-site capital stewardship consulting firm based in Falls Church, Virginia, recently ranked the #1 church consulting firm in the United States by Volkart, a market research firm in Minnesota. Gregory Holt is the consultant assigned to First Congregational Church.

With offices in Falls Church, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Toronto, Ontario, James D. Klote & Associates is the largest full-time, on-site stewardship consulting firm in North America. For additional information, please contact the firm at www.jdklote.com or (800) 360-2315.