ESTABLISHED 1953
What began as a gathering in a cornfield on the edge of town over 70 years ago has grown to a faith community that has impacted countless lives here in Rochester and all around the world. A creative, joy filled, entrepreneurial community with a big heart, Gloria Dei has lived a mission of welcome and love of neighbor from the very beginning.
The building has grown, the people have changed, and Rochester has expanded, but some things remain the same. We continue to gather through dynamic worship experiences, we listen for the Spirit through unique education and contemplative practice opportunities, we care for the food insecure and unhoused, and we create a place of unconditional welcome and love. It’s a proud legacy and it continues today!
TODAY 2024
Over the past year, as a congregation we have identified ways for our physical plant to be updated. The proposed updates will help us to translate and live our mission of welcome and love of neighbor today and far into the future.
EXCITING OPPORUNITIES
Through several Maven Meetings this Spring, we shared a plan that will allow us to build on our strong history and grow into a bright future. At 2.8 million dollars, this plan will impact and update almost every aspect of our physical plant without any building additions. The overarching goal is to match our building needs and uses with our present day ministry insights and values.
BUILDING ESSENTIALS: ROOF AND HVAC | $450,000
We will replace our aging, leaking sanctuary roof. We will also update and streamline the HVAC system to make it more environmentally friendly, consistent, and cost efficient.
EDUCATION WING, HALLWAYS & 3RD FLOOR LOFT | $867,000
Our education wing will get its first significant update in nearly 50 years. Classrooms and hallways alike will receive new ceiling, lighting, and carpeting. Classrooms will have glass panel doors for better lighting and transparency. We will improve the entrance doors and flooring. The unfinished third floor loft will be adapted into a large open room, dedicated for middle and high school youth activities.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN | $28,500
An estimated 17,000 people drive by our building every day, and our sign is the most public, outward facing part of our building. We will update the sign to communicate our welcome.
LOBBY | $378,000
Our sanctuary lobby is often crowded, and that’s a good thing! We will add new lighting, ceiling, and flooring to update the space. We will also reallocate space by redesigning our coatroom for a new welcome desk, and put in a clear glass wall between the lobby and the sanctuary that can be opened as overflow for larger services.
SANCTUARY | $613,500
We will add new carpet throughout, with a circular movable platform for worship leadership at the center of the room. We will improve lighting with a new circular light fixture and cross above the center worship leadership space. There will also be a clear balcony rail for improved sightlines, and smaller chancel space for improved access. Audio visual updates will include enhanced speaker systems, wireless connections for hearing aids, new screens in the corners of the room, and a finished sound booth.
OFFICE SPACE | $94,500
We will update the office workroom with new countertops, cabinets, sink, and refrigerator. New windows will be added to our offices for increased efficiency.
KITCHEN | $86,000
We will give a “refresh” to our much used kitchen. This will include painting the walls and cabinets, new quartz countertops with tile backsplash, new flooring, new ceiling, and new lighting.
ADA UPGRADES | $171,500
There will be ADA upgrades throughout the building to get us up to code, to assist with accessibility, and to help us further express our welcome. These updates include but are not limited to updated restrooms, drinking fountains, and power doors for our entrances & bathrooms.
FURNISHINGS, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT | $100,000
From the Lobby to the Sunday School Classrooms and Youth space, new furnishings and fixtures will be added throughout the building as the space is upgraded and adapted.
LOBBY
sanctuary
classrooms
third floor
In order to accomplish these bold goals, we take the next step in faith with Gloria Dei’s trademark generosity and abundance. Gift commitments over the next three years will make it possible to enhance our ministry and enrich the lives of those in our community and beyond.
To fully subscribe our campaign and meet our challenging goal, the following three-year gift commitments will be needed. Gifts can be made on a schedule convenient to you, through cash, gifts of stock, or a qualified charitable distribution.