Transition has been a steady factor in our building project. We’ve dealt with the transition of costs during and after the pandemic, the transition between rectors, and the transition of our Episcopal dioceses from the Dioceses of Milwaukee, Fond Du Lac, and Eau Claire to the Diocese of Wisconsin. Each move has brought new realities to the table. Some transitions, like the transition of costs pre and post-pandemic, only brought additional challenges. Our latest transition, however, has been a blessing.
Over the summer months, the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin has become an active partner in our parish hall building project. As a result of their negotiations with Catalyst, our builder, we’re now set to have an occupiable first floor of our parish hall by the end of this calendar year! When construction ends, we will have:
- A fully finished nursery
- Two sets of ADA bathrooms: one just off the sacristy, and one in the parish hall
- A kitchen
- A “warehouse chic” parish hall (read minimal finishes, but a useable space)
- Parish offices
- A conference room, useable for meetings, Bible studies, and Sunday school
This result was made possible through an increased grant from the diocese ($300,000 instead of the original $150,000), and builder financing from Catalyst through the end of 2026 on top of the diocesan loan of $800,000 through 2029. We’re lucky and grateful for the teamwork approach taken by our builder, our diocese, and our parish.
During our initial three-year capital campaign, we did amazingly well, pledging $1.2 million. Heading into our third year of the initial three-year campaign, we will have only $81,000 in outstanding pledges to be received. We are grateful for and counting on these outstanding pledges. Our parish’s commitment to this project over the past three years has secured the confidence of our builder and diocese. We’ve committed a lot to this project already; we want to ensure the investments we’ve made pay off for our parish, our community, and our future.
So, what do we need to do as a parish now?
We still need to raise an additional $775,000 over the next three years.
- We’ll have between $225,000 and $250,000 of bills to pay each year in 2025, 2026, and 2027 to make our short-term loan payments to the diocese and Catalyst.
- In 2029, we’ll have around $500,000 that we’ll refinance through a 20-year mortgage. This will leave us with payments of about $40,000/year that we will build into our annual operating budget. (Unless, of course, it’s paid off before then). *
*Capital campaign pledges are in addition to, not in place of, our annual stewardship campaign. Your financial gifts to St. Mark’s stewardship campaign support the daily operation of our parish, whereas the capital campaign pays for our new building, which will serve our congregation and community for generations to come.
The Capital Campaign, Part 2 (with a goal of $775,000)
The Launch
The children of St. Mark’s will be launching the Capital Campaign: Part 2 with a Fun Run they dreamed up. Following the 10 a.m. service on November 10, the children of the parish will run laps around the church block. Adults will be there to cheer them on. You can pledge support in a variety of ways:
- Pledge an amount per child that runs (e.g. $5/kid who participates)
- Pick a child, and pledge an amount per lap that child runs
Give a lump sum to support the children as they do their part to raise funds for our new Parish Hall.
Children’s Fun Run Pledge Form
Save the Date–An Epiphany Dinner on Saturday, January 11
The parish hall is built for our congregation and community to gather. Mark your calendars for the inaugural Epiphany Dinner in the new parish hall. We will have some auction items/a raffle to support our parish hall while enjoying our new space together.
If you are interested in being part of the team planning the Epiphany Dinner, please contact Kathy Katter at KatherineKatter@gmail.com.
Plan your Pledge
All gifts, large and small, are important as we work together to build and pay for our new parish hall. As you plan for the next few years, what can you contribute? You may be able to make a three-year plan, you may need to take it a year at a time. All gifts are welcome as we all pitch in to support our parish hall, blessing our community for our generation and the next.
