1. What is a capital campaign?
Our capital campaign is three-year effort to raise funds so we can repair our building and make it a safer, more welcoming space to raise the spirit, serve the community and welcome the stranger. If we succeed, we will gain more than money. We will expand our community and deepen our connections to each other and to all who join us.
2. Why are we engaging in a capital campaign?
We’ve known our building needed major repairs since a piece of slate fell off the steeple in 2004. We’ve obtained a thorough conditions report by a building conservator and a second opinion from an architect. Both say it is urgent we repair the deteriorating steeple and tower, make the walls watertight, and bring our electricity and plumbing up to NYC building codes.
3. What exactly will we be doing, and how much will it cost?
When repairing a building, it is best to fix the roof and outside walls first, as it makes no sense to improve the inside when the outside is crumbling. Major repairs will cost $1.6 to $2.0 million.
Tower and steeple repairs $1,100,000 - $1,500,000
Roof, gutter, exterior wall & window frame repairs $318,000
Interior code compliance, electrical and plumbing work $91,000
Kitchen and women’s room renovation $63,000
Stair lift for better handicapped accessibility $18,000
Total estimated costs $1,590,000 - 1,990,000
4. Where will the funds come from?
Three sources. Trinity’s goal is $300,000 to come from members, alumni and friends over three years. This is about three times more than the congregation gave in 2009 for day-to-day church operations. Trinity Place Shelter’s goal is $500,000. The rest will come from grants available to buildings, like Trinity, on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Why take this on now, when the economy is in a severe recession?
The longer we wait, the more the church deteriorates, and the more it will cost to fix it. If we raise money and do some work during the recession, we may actually save on construction costs. Besides, the scaffolding we’ve had to maintain since 2004 to avoid further citations costs $1,450 a month, with no tangible benefit.
Built 101 years ago by an immigrant congregation that was neither large nor rich, Trinity has a history of surviving in tough times. In 1949, Trinity said no when Robert Moses, the legendary developer, wanted to raze the church along with everything else on 32 acres along Amsterdam Avenue. Because the congregation stood fast, Trinity was saved while most other buildings fell. That example gives us the courage and confidence to save our church again, even in a recession.
6. Why have we decided to renovate rather than build something new?
We thoroughly researched selling to a developer, and partnering with an agency to build affordable housing. Zoning regulations and the shape of our lot limited how high we could build. Any money we’d receive had to be weighed against the cost of housing our pastor during construction, relocating our programs, and potential loss of momentum in growing the congregation. When the pros and cons of rebuilding were presented to the congregation at the 2009 annual meeting, members voted by a wide margin to restore the building instead.
7. What is the estimated timetable for making the repairs, and what are the priorities?
The work will take three to five years. The tower is our first priority. Water leaks have corroded steel and masonry that support the steeple, destabilizing the structure and damaging the choir room, sanctuary and kitchen. Other external repairs, along with plumbing and electrical updates, are next in importance, followed by kitchen and bath renovation and the installation of a stair lift for the handicapped. Projects may be done in tandem, depending on which funds come in first.
8. Why spend so much on the steeple? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to take it down?
Taking down the steeple could save up to $450,000. But doing so would disqualify us for a NYS Historic Property Preservation grant. Since the maximum grant last year was $600,000, and since recipients can apply for these grants in successive years, it makes economic and architectural sense to fix the steeple if we get the grant.
9. What is Trinity’s “Plan B” if it does not receive a NYS Historic Property Preservation grant?
We will also apply to Sacred Sites, which awards up to $100,000 for steeples. This may be sufficient to fund our plan if donations from other sources exceed our goals. If not, we may be forced to take down the steeple.
10. Who will be our architect, and how will Trinity manage the project?
Although we have received rough estimates from Robert Litchfield, an architect licensed in NY and NJ, and William Stivale, a well-respected building conservator, we have not obtained formal bids for overseeing the project. We will obtain three bids before selecting a principal architect. Before construction begins, Trinity will establish a project management team to help coordinate work and serve as liaison between the architect, contractors, and the church council.
11. How will Trinity handle and account for donations as they come in?
To meet the needs of diverse donors and keep the accounting clear, Trinity’s Treasurer will set up two money market accounts for capital campaign contributions: one for Trinity Lutheran Church, and one for Trinity Community Connection, a separate 501(c)(3) for our secular programs. This will ensure money donated for the capital needs of our programs is used only for those purposes. Funds not needed immediately may be held in CDs, or short-term bonds held to maturity.
12. What will happen to our stained glass windows?
We cannot restore the windows until the exterior walls are repaired. Were money no object, we would do this prior to installing new window frames. However, stained glass restoration costs an extra $500,000. So the windows will remain in storage until we raise that sum or sell them.
13. What, if anything, will be done to make our space more accessible?
Accessibility for all is very important! We’ll start with a stair lift, and revisit making other improvements once our structure is safe and watertight.
14. How can I learn more and stay abreast of the campaign?
Visit our website, www.trinitylutherannyc.org, and sign up for our newsletter. Or contact our pastor or one of our campaign directors:
Helen Atsma This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 212-663-3116
Thomas Jahn This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 646-638-0150
Rev. Heidi Neumark This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 917-374-4212
Our capital campaign is three-year effort to raise funds so we can repair our building and make it a safer, more welcoming space to raise the spirit, serve the community and welcome the stranger. If we succeed, we will gain more than money. We will expand our community and deepen our connections to each other and to all who join us.
2. Why are we engaging in a capital campaign?
We’ve known our building needed major repairs since a piece of slate fell off the steeple in 2004. We’ve obtained a thorough conditions report by a building conservator and a second opinion from an architect. Both say it is urgent we repair the deteriorating steeple and tower, make the walls watertight, and bring our electricity and plumbing up to NYC building codes.
3. What exactly will we be doing, and how much will it cost?
When repairing a building, it is best to fix the roof and outside walls first, as it makes no sense to improve the inside when the outside is crumbling. Major repairs will cost $1.6 to $2.0 million.
Tower and steeple repairs $1,100,000 - $1,500,000
Roof, gutter, exterior wall & window frame repairs $318,000
Interior code compliance, electrical and plumbing work $91,000
Kitchen and women’s room renovation $63,000
Stair lift for better handicapped accessibility $18,000
Total estimated costs $1,590,000 - 1,990,000
4. Where will the funds come from?
Three sources. Trinity’s goal is $300,000 to come from members, alumni and friends over three years. This is about three times more than the congregation gave in 2009 for day-to-day church operations. Trinity Place Shelter’s goal is $500,000. The rest will come from grants available to buildings, like Trinity, on the National Register of Historic Places.
5. Why take this on now, when the economy is in a severe recession?
The longer we wait, the more the church deteriorates, and the more it will cost to fix it. If we raise money and do some work during the recession, we may actually save on construction costs. Besides, the scaffolding we’ve had to maintain since 2004 to avoid further citations costs $1,450 a month, with no tangible benefit.
Built 101 years ago by an immigrant congregation that was neither large nor rich, Trinity has a history of surviving in tough times. In 1949, Trinity said no when Robert Moses, the legendary developer, wanted to raze the church along with everything else on 32 acres along Amsterdam Avenue. Because the congregation stood fast, Trinity was saved while most other buildings fell. That example gives us the courage and confidence to save our church again, even in a recession.
6. Why have we decided to renovate rather than build something new?
We thoroughly researched selling to a developer, and partnering with an agency to build affordable housing. Zoning regulations and the shape of our lot limited how high we could build. Any money we’d receive had to be weighed against the cost of housing our pastor during construction, relocating our programs, and potential loss of momentum in growing the congregation. When the pros and cons of rebuilding were presented to the congregation at the 2009 annual meeting, members voted by a wide margin to restore the building instead.
7. What is the estimated timetable for making the repairs, and what are the priorities?
The work will take three to five years. The tower is our first priority. Water leaks have corroded steel and masonry that support the steeple, destabilizing the structure and damaging the choir room, sanctuary and kitchen. Other external repairs, along with plumbing and electrical updates, are next in importance, followed by kitchen and bath renovation and the installation of a stair lift for the handicapped. Projects may be done in tandem, depending on which funds come in first.
8. Why spend so much on the steeple? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to take it down?
Taking down the steeple could save up to $450,000. But doing so would disqualify us for a NYS Historic Property Preservation grant. Since the maximum grant last year was $600,000, and since recipients can apply for these grants in successive years, it makes economic and architectural sense to fix the steeple if we get the grant.
9. What is Trinity’s “Plan B” if it does not receive a NYS Historic Property Preservation grant?
We will also apply to Sacred Sites, which awards up to $100,000 for steeples. This may be sufficient to fund our plan if donations from other sources exceed our goals. If not, we may be forced to take down the steeple.
10. Who will be our architect, and how will Trinity manage the project?
Although we have received rough estimates from Robert Litchfield, an architect licensed in NY and NJ, and William Stivale, a well-respected building conservator, we have not obtained formal bids for overseeing the project. We will obtain three bids before selecting a principal architect. Before construction begins, Trinity will establish a project management team to help coordinate work and serve as liaison between the architect, contractors, and the church council.
11. How will Trinity handle and account for donations as they come in?
To meet the needs of diverse donors and keep the accounting clear, Trinity’s Treasurer will set up two money market accounts for capital campaign contributions: one for Trinity Lutheran Church, and one for Trinity Community Connection, a separate 501(c)(3) for our secular programs. This will ensure money donated for the capital needs of our programs is used only for those purposes. Funds not needed immediately may be held in CDs, or short-term bonds held to maturity.
12. What will happen to our stained glass windows?
We cannot restore the windows until the exterior walls are repaired. Were money no object, we would do this prior to installing new window frames. However, stained glass restoration costs an extra $500,000. So the windows will remain in storage until we raise that sum or sell them.
13. What, if anything, will be done to make our space more accessible?
Accessibility for all is very important! We’ll start with a stair lift, and revisit making other improvements once our structure is safe and watertight.
14. How can I learn more and stay abreast of the campaign?
Visit our website, www.trinitylutherannyc.org, and sign up for our newsletter. Or contact our pastor or one of our campaign directors:
Helen Atsma This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 212-663-3116
Thomas Jahn This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 646-638-0150
Rev. Heidi Neumark This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 917-374-4212
