Facilities Growth

In 2009 our Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation will be considering the future of our facilities.  As depicted in the “History” section of our web site, our church building was built in 1977, and the Chalice House was added in 1985 when the number of young people in the congregation exceeded the classroom capacity in the church building.  In the last 30 years our congregation has grown and changed, and we have responded by remodeling – a little.  We cherish the ambiance of our rustic architecture and naturalistic setting, and yet we recognize that our church facilities may need to grow and change more substantially to accommodate our vision for the next 30 years.

Architectural Exploration

Early in 2009 our Board of Trustees retained Richard Wittschiebe Hand, an architectural firm with exemplary experience in church and sustainable architecture, to suggest parameters for possible expansion of our facilities.  In order to “frame” the possibilities, and not become too specific too early, the architects were asked to study two very different approaches. We called these the “minimal approach” and the “ambitious approach”.  These architectural parameters were presented to the congregation by architect Tanya Richard in June.  Essential portions of this presentation are included in the video Our Renewing Spirit, along with historical context, and commentary from our church leadership. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqYM5h3e524

As we explore the questions and possibilities surrounding sustainable facilities growth, we will be reliving the excitement and challenges facing our predecessor congregants in the 1970s and 1980s.  We will decide, as they did, the future of “Our Home in the Woods”.