Building Transformation Project Update: Navigating the Path Forward

It has been an exciting and transformative journey that First Congregational Church of Battle Creek (FCCBC) has embarked upon in partnership with Partners for Sacred Places. Over the past year, we have been working diligently to create a transition plan for the FCCBC building into an arts, culture, and spirituality center that can better serve both our congregation and the broader community. In this article, we will share the progress we've made, the challenges we've encountered, and the vision that is emerging as we move forward.

Phase One: The Foundation

In 2022, we laid the foundation for this ambitious project by completing the first phase. This initial step involved a comprehensive discovery study that brought together invaluable input from not only our FCCBC membership but also the Battle Creek community. The purpose of this study was to gather research and insights that would guide our decision-making process. It was a crucial first step that set the stage for the transformative work that has followed.

Phase Two: The Building Advisory Committee

Throughout 2023, we have been deeply engaged in the second phase of our journey. This phase has seen the establishment and ongoing activities of the Building Advisory Committee, a dedicated team of key figures within our church community and partners from the broader community. Pastor Nate, Jaimie, Randy Case (Church Council president), and Mark Johnson (past Church Council president) have been working alongside representatives from our building users and community partners.

The Building Advisory Committee's mission has been to research, discern, and create a strategic plan for the evolution of the FCCBC building. Their efforts have encompassed a wide range of considerations, including building management models, ownership implications such as zoning, tax considerations, historic district regulations, cost-per-square-foot calculations, and identifying deferred maintenance issues within the building.

Current Considerations: Ownership Implications

One of the most surprising outcomes of the committee's research has been the discovery of the significant implications associated with transitioning ownership of the FCCBC building to another nonprofit or business entity for the purpose of managing day-to-day operations. The complexity of this endeavor came to light, especially in relation to the complete re-licensure of our cherished Garden of Dreams child care program.

Given these complications and the desire to ensure a smooth transition, the Building Advisory Committee is not currently recommending a change in ownership of the physical building. Instead, they are actively exploring alternative solutions. Specifically, the committee is investigating how a collective of building users and community partners can provide leadership for decision-making related to operations and building maintenance, while FCCBC retains ownership of the physical building and grounds. This clarity has emerged as the most viable option based on the research conducted thus far.

The Road Ahead

Moving forward, the next phase of our project will delve into an in-depth analysis of our current fee structures, building policies, and other day-to-day building management considerations. The goal is to make recommendations for policy and procedure changes that will support the ongoing evolution of the daily operations of the FCCBC building.

Throughout this journey, we want to assure you that your voices matter. We have been offering regular updates to the Church Council, keeping them informed of the ongoing research and development process. It is essential to understand that any major decisions will be made in close consultation with the Church Council and, most importantly, with the full involvement and support of the FCCBC membership. These decisions will be based on recommendations put forth by the Building Advisory Committee and the continuous research process.

A Vision for the Future

As we stand at this juncture, we are filled with hope and anticipation for the future of our building. This hope is not only based on our vision and mission, but on our trust in the relationships and partnerships that have formed to support this project. We are planning for the expansion of the usage of our building, remaining a vital part of the social safety net in Battle Creek, and remain a community asset for years to come.