Why now?

St. Andrew’s continues to grow! From a handful of families gathering at the YMCA in 2005 to a vibrant community of nearly 600 members today, our Sunday worship attendance often pushes 300, and giving was up 17% in 2025. These are signs of God’s blessing, and they are also a call. Our largest service runs near capacity most Sundays. Our Great Hall has faithfully served double duty as fellowship space and sanctuary for over a decade, and our ministry teams are doing extraordinary work in spaces that were never designed for what they’re being asked to do. We believe God is not finished with what He is doing through us, and the time to act is now, while momentum and generosity are strong.

How much money are we trying to raise?

We are asking God, and asking our congregation, to help us raise $4 million or more over three years to fund this expansion of our campus. Early indications from the feasibility study suggest our congregation’s three-year giving capacity meets and may exceed this goal.

Are we starting from zero?

No, an extraordinary early commitment of one million dollars has already been made, and a number of other households made significant gifts and commitments ahead of the campaign’s formal launch. We are not starting from zero. The feasibility study suggested the congregation has additional giving capacity on top of what is already in place. We will be transparent about specific milestones and totals as the campaign unfolds, so the congregation can see exactly where we stand relative to the goal at every stage.

Why do we need a new sanctuary? Why not just add more services?

Communal worship is at the heart of all we do as a congregation. After twenty years, it’s time to build a space specifically designed for worship — with acoustics tuned for sacred music, architecture that draws the eye and the heart upward, and a beauty that reflects the glory of the God we gather to honor. We could add more services — and we have. But adding services has a limit. It stretches our clergy, divides our community, and creates even more challenges around large gatherings and space utilization.

Is 400 seats really big enough? Won’t we outgrow it quickly?

The current projection of 414 seats with 30-40 additional overflow seats will roughly double our current Great Hall capacity. We are not building to a budget, but building a quality space of the size we need in a way that is responsible and moves toward a horizon we can see and fund. The honest answer also includes the truth that no building lasts forever, and God willing, St. Andrew’s will continue to grow. What we know is this: building what we can build well and faithfully now is the right next step.

What will happen to the Great Hall once the new Nave is built?

The Great Hall will finally become what it was always meant to be: a warm, spacious gathering place for the people of St. Andrew’s. We plan to remove the Narthex wall to create a welcoming entry area, add space for coffee and fellowship, and install movable partitions so the area closer to the existing altar can be used for large classes and medium sized gatherings when we don’t need the whole space.

When will construction begin, and how long will it take?

We plan to break ground in late 2026, with construction taking approximately 12 months.

Can the scope be reduced if commitments fall short of the full goal or we hit a major financial hurdle mid-construction?

Yes. The building committee and Vestry have thought carefully about this. If commitments come in below the full target, the Vestry will evaluate options including phasing the project or adjusting scope — for example, prioritizing the Nave and Great Hall transformation while deferring some of the ministry expansion elements. What we will not do is borrow beyond what is responsible or begin building more than we can fund. We have also committed to sharing the specific phasing of the project, if necessary, so the congregation will always know what is possible given the amount commited. If an unexpected financial challenge were to arise mid-construction the Vestry would evaluate all available options, which could include an extended giving period, a modest construction loan, phasing remaining work, or a combination of these.

What is the Diocese’s role?

The Episcopal Diocese of Dallas is aware of and encouraging of this project, but we do not expect them to provide financial support.

When does giving start, and what is my giving goal?

Commitments will be made in the spring of 2026, with the three-year giving period beginning in April. We are not asking for your financial commitment today, as the campaign season will include time for prayerful discernment before Commitment Sunday (April 12, 2026). As for your “giving goal,” we don’t set that for you. The campaign’s guiding principle is equal sacrifice, not equal giving. We are asking every household to begin in the same place: pray the prayer, “God, what do you want to do through me?” and then listen. Whatever you give should be a response to that prayer.

How does my capital campaign commitment relate to my regular annual giving?

Your capital campaign commitment is separate from and in addition to your regular annual giving to St. Andrew’s, otherwise, we will not be able to continue the life-giving ministry that necessitates this building project to begin with! We are asking households to prayerfully consider what they can give over and above their normal support of the church’s annual ministry, not instead of it. Spreading a capital commitment over three years allows most families to give significantly more than they could give all at once.

Will the church take on debt if we don’t raise the full goal?

Our mortgage-free status is a true blessing. It would be wonderful to raise the full cost of the project through commitments and gifts before breaking ground. However, a construction loan will likely be necessary to bridge timing between commitments, which are over three years, and construction costs, which will be spread over eighteen months or so. If we have not raised the full cost of the building by the conclusion of the three year commitment cycle, the Vestry will address how to term out the remaining balance so it fits into our ongoing operating budget.