A new structural engineering study was commissioned in May 2025 to report on the current breezeways. The report showed several issues that need to be resolved in the next 12 months. Because FBC has already voted to move forward with the Fournier Project, the Leadership Council determined the best plan was to proceed by building a portion of the project, replacing the breezeways with the proposed connectors. This would allow our future senior pastor to begin his ministry at FBC by focusing his attention on ministry instead of immediately having to launch a capital campaign to raise funds for building repairs/replacement.

The congregation affirmed the desire to move forward with this building project in June 2024, voting to “begin implementing the proposed project and accompanying capital campaign.” However, the Leadership Council believes it is important to give the congregation another opportunity to affirm that decision. Since that vote, several key factors have changed: the project's scope has been reduced, the financial cost is now clearly defined, and the Senior Pastor position is currently vacant. 

The Leadership Council chose to scale down the project to focus on the church’s essential needs rather than non-essential items after receiving more precise cost estimates. As a result, redesigning the sanctuary foyer, including adding new bathrooms, and remodeling the back of the church near the youth area are not part of this proposed project. While the other parts of the project include appealing aspects, the Leadership Council concluded it was in the best interest of the church to focus solely on the immediate needs of the church building. 

The enclosed connectors would replace the open-air breezeways, making the fellowship hall, sanctuary, and children’s wing effectively one building. Once you're in the building, you will not have to worry about getting locked out when moving to another part of the building. Two new elevators would be added to improve accessibility for people with mobility issues. The new connectors would also enhance security. A dedicated drop-off and pick-up area at the children’s wing connector would streamline the check-in process and reduce traffic in the hallways. The connectors would also give our security team better visibility and control over the building’s entrances. 

The general contractor estimates it would take 9-10 months to complete construction once permits are approved and site preparation has begun. Both connectors would be built at the same time, which is more cost-effective and shortens the overall timeline. The biggest unknown is how long it would take for the City of Charlottesville to approve building permits. However, both the architect and contractor have extensive experience working with the city planning department. 

The church facilities would remain usable throughout construction, though some entry points may change. A temporary entrance and exit would be created in the children’s building before the breezeways are removed, ensuring at least two emergency exits are available at all times. We also expect increased use of the rear entrances to the sanctuary building and fellowship hall building during this period. Clear signage and regular communication will guide members and guests safely throughout the construction process. 

Multiple general contractors were part of a competitive interview process. The Leadership Council, working with the Design Team, evaluated each proposal. The proposed cost includes two layers of contingency funding—10% in the contractor’s bid and an additional 10% set aside by the church for the entire cost—to help protect against unexpected expenses. In light of current construction costs and inflation, we believe $4.1 million is a fair and reasonable price. 

Yes. The church currently has just over $1 million set aside for this project. These funds come from the remaining Jeanne Fournier Trust and designated gifts already given by church members. With a total project cost of $4.1 million, that leaves about $3.1 million to be raised through a capital campaign. The Leadership Council and Capital Campaign Team are seeking to raise this amount over a maximum of three years. For context, our 2025 church budget is $2.3 million, so the campaign goal represents about 1.35 times our annual budget.  

The Capital Campaign Team and Leadership Council faithfully believe our church can and would complete the capital campaign with no debt. Our church currently has no debt, and we strongly prefer avoiding a loan altogether. For practical purposes, the church is seeking pre-approval for a short-term construction bridge loan in case one is needed. Because construction is expected to run from mid-2026 through early to mid-2027, the funds for the project would need to be available before the capital campaign concludes in 2028. Our goal is to use church resources first and draw on the loan only if needed, in order to keep interest costs as low as possible. If enough gifts are received early in the campaign, a loan may not be necessary at all. 

Our church has a long history of generous giving to both global and local missions. Ten percent of Jeanne Fournier’s gift (about $120,000) went to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program (CP), which supports the International Mission Board, the North American Mission Board, and other ministries.  Our annual giving includes 10% of our annual budget (about $230,000) to the CP and another $79,006 to specific missionaries and ministries directly supported by FBC. Finally, FBC has given $194,599 over the past 12 months to the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings, which also support missions. The total for the three items is $503,605. Our commitment to missions will not change. At the same time, the Leadership Council believes this building project is both needed and necessary to help us more effectively reach and serve our local community now and in the years to come. 

The Leadership Council encourages every church member to contribute to the CGC campaign prayerfully, and if possible, financially. While we recognize that not everyone will be able to contribute financially, we ask every church member to pray that God will unify the church around this project and that He will provide the resources necessary to complete the project. Second, we encourage every member to vote on October 5, regardless of whether they are able to give financially. The Leadership Council desires to clearly understand the will of the church in moving forward with this project. 

That said, if you desire to support the CGC campaign financially, we encourage you to consider the Bible’s teaching on money, how the Scriptures remind us that giving is not primarily about the money but the motive of one’s heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver." Also, consider Jesus’ teaching in Mark 12:41-44, where He draws his disciples' attention to a widow who dropped two coins worth very little. Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."  

The Church Constitution requires at least a two-thirds affirmative vote from a quorum of church members for a “major matter” such as a capital campaign. For this specific motion to pass, the Leadership Council has chosen to raise the threshold to a 75% vote to ensure broad congregational support before moving forward. 

If the motion fails to pass, the Leadership Council would meet to explore alternative options for mitigating the structural issues with the breezeways.