February 24, 2023 Update

• We need painters to paint the fellowship hall floor starting the week of March 6.  We will provide the paint -please bring brushes, rollers, etc.  You can come anytime – just let Dan know (dcarlton@culpeperbaptist.org).
• Maranatha is finishing drywall on 1st floor this week.  Finishers will be in next week.
• Southern Air will be delivering AC units for the sanctuary the week of February 27.

February 1, 2023 Update

• Hearing aid technology has been installed and we are getting feedback from users.
• We continue to finish up work in the sanctuary.
• Stage Sound is substantially finished – waiting for 1 speaker to ship and then they will do final tuning.
• Maranatha is moving forward on drywall. We are waiting for an inspection before we complete drywall.
• Flooring for hallway, fellowship hall and multipurpose room have been ordered and will be delivered next week.
• Handwashing sink and beverage sink “rough in” has been completed.
• Once drywall is installed – we will put in ceiling grid so electrician and HVAC can finish up.

Thank you for your generous giving – since May 1, 2022 – $346,403 has been donated to our renovation project!  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

January 6, 2023 Update

• We are hearing better!!
  • Some of our sound equipment has not arrived yet. We have not installed the speaker for the balcony (if you sat in the balcony on Christmas Eve and had difficulty hearing that is why).
  • We have not added the technology to pair with hearing aids yet.Technology around hearing aids is changing rapidly; so we do not want to purchase something we do not need or is not relevant to our folks.
  • Please let us know what your experience is with hearing, and we will continue to adjust/learn each week.
• We installed the permanent screen this week. Work will continue in the sanctuary through January.
• We have about 400 chairs set up on a weekly basis – we will see how that looks over the next month and make adjustments as needed. On Christmas Eve, we had almost 500 chairs set up.
• Fellowship Hall –
  • We are waiting for some building inspections so we can hang drywall.
  • Maranatha constructed the new handicap ramp 2 weeks ago.
  • We have had supply chain issues with the flooring we wanted – but those issues are now resolved.
  • We will soon have ways for volunteers to help with painting!

December Update

A LOT has happened since Thanksgiving!  We were able to be back in the Sanctuary for the Seipp/Sheets Concert on December 4 and then for our Christmas Music Worship Service on December 11!

What still needs to happen in the sanctuary?

• stage flooring installed (by Christmas Eve)
• Chairs delivered (by Christmas Eve)
• front of stage and soundbooth painting (by Christmas Eve)

What will happen in January:

• grilles installed on front of stage vents and back stage floor
• permanent screen installed
• Continue fine tuning sound/lighting and projection system
• Final inspections

Fellowship Hall Progress

There is still a lot to do to finish the Fellowship Hall (as our contractors were focused on getting us back in the sanctuary)

• Maranatha volunteers installed our new WIDE ADA Accessible Ramp to the Fellowship Hall!
• Our electrical contractor in working to get to a “rough in” inspection.  Once we get that inspection we will be able to hang drywall.
• We have a “supply line issue” with the flooring we ordered – we are working with the supplier to resolve that.
• Hopefully, we will see a lot of progress with Fellowship Hall in January.
• We will need volunteers -drywall, painting, cleaning, etc – contact the church office (office@culpeperbaptist.org) if you can help.

Thank you for your generous giving.  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

 

Update October 12, 2022

• All of our contractors are on site in the sanctuary (Southern Air, Electrician, Stage Sound, building contractor constructing new stage) so progress is being made weekly.
• Carpet will be installed in mid November.
• Chairs will not be here till early December (we will use our existing chairs until they arrive).
• We will be in the Sanctuary for our concert on November 20 and then for Sunday morning service starting November 27.  (We will be in 1 service at 10:00 a.m. from November 27-January 1).
• Maranatha volunteers are actively working in Fellowship Hall (hanging drywall, building new wall and door frames).  We hope to have them pour the new ramp in the hallway by the end of October.

We need your help as we prepare for being in the sanctuary.  We are looking for folks to serve in the following ways:

• Children/Preschool Ministry and Family Engagement (reach out to Jeanine, Nicole or Kathryn)
• Sound Tech Team (reach out to Winston, Tony or Larry)
• Music Ministry (reach out to Dan, Winston or Jim)
• Greeters/Signage (reach out to Dan)
• Hospitality (reach out to Dan)

Thank you for your generous giving.  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update September 27, 2022

Here are the things that are completed/in progress:

• Sanctuary has been painted
• Workmen are spraying acoustic spray on the front wall and upper back wall
• Electrical permit was issued September 14. Electrician’s crew is actively at work.
• Southern Air is making good progress – fellowship hall equipment is “in.” Sanctuary work will become much more active in the next 2 weeks, and the AC Unit above the balcony should be installed shortly.  They will also remove both old units outside the back of the church (the replacement is not here yet).
• Drywall work over the baptistery was completed by volunteers.
• The stained-glass window was removed by a professional and several volunteers and is now in storage.
• Maranatha volunteers have been working in the Fellowship Hall installing drywall and wall studs.

What we are waiting on:

• Stage Sound will be on site October 4 to begin their work.
• If materials are available, we hope to begin sanctuary stage work by early October.
• We hope to use volunteers to construct sanctuary sound booth starting ASAP.
• Chairs are in production (hoping to arrive by November).
• Carpet installation date is moving from early October to early November. We want the carpet to be one of the last installations.
• We are getting a proposal for drop ceilings for the 1st floor.
• Volunteers will paint the first floor.  If you can help, contact the office (office@culpeperbaptist.org)

Things we will not do [now] to stay within the budget:

• Reduced Stage Sound proposal by $40,000.
• Will not replace the kitchen hood – $35,000 estimate.
• Utilize volunteers a bit more.
• We will not build out the balcony rooms (video recording and live stream rooms).

Thank you for your generous giving.  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update September 8, 2022

We have started hanging drywall in the Fellowship Hall!  We are waiting on our electrical permit which is delaying some of our work.  HVAC work continues and more equipment should arrive this month.  Some acoustical work in the sanctuary will be done the week of September 19.

Carpet will be installed in the sanctuary the week of October 10.  The new chairs have moved into production – we hope to have them delivered in October.  The major work of technology, sound and acoustics is dependent on the electrical permit – we hope to have a schedule for all of that soon.

If you would like to volunteer to help with drywall or painting on the 1st floor – let Dan know (dcarlton@culpeperbaptist.org).

Thank you for your generous giving.  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update, July 20, 2022

The carpet for the sanctuary has been ordered!  We have submitted for permits.  We had our first volunteer meeting to discuss the work we can do together on the 1st floor and had a great turn out from Maranatha!  We will begin work on the first floor in the next 2 weeks with tasks that do not require a permit.  If you would like to volunteer to paint or hang drywall -please contact the church office (office@culpeperbaptist.org).  We will update our timeline for everything by the first week of August.

Giving to the combined Sanctuary and Building Fund this year is $125,975 – thank you!

Expenses paid by the church to date:  $317,075

HVAC – 1st Payment – $150,877.20

Demolition/Asbestos Abatement on 1st Floor – $96,040

Chairs (1/2 deposit) -$22,513

Sanctuary Painting – $15,550

Sanctuary Carpet (1/2 deposit) -$26,500

Architect/Permit Fees – $5,596

Expenses paid through the loan to date: (we are waiting for the loan to close).

You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update, June 30, 2022

Demolition and asbestos abatement have been completed on the 1st Floor.  The Sanctuary has been painted.  Chairs have been ordered.  We have patched the ceiling in the kitchen (thanks to Gabe Duco te!).  We are still working to finalize plans to submit for permits and bids.

Please remember to stay out of the sanctuary and 1st floor fellowship hall during this time.

Giving to the combined Sanctuary and Building Fund has been $109,751 – thank you!  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update June 8, 2022

Demolition on the 1st Floor is almost complete!  We continue to work with our architect to finalize plans to submit for building permits and for contractor bids.  We have started working on covering the holes in the sanctuary floor.  Repairing and painting the walls of the sanctuary will begin the week of June 12.  Our Trustees continue to work on finalizing the loan for the sanctuary project and the refinancing of the 2012 Building.  We expect the loan to close in the next 2 weeks.

Both Sunday morning services (9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.) will meet in the Worship Center.  For the next several weeks, continue to stay out of the first floor and do not go in the sanctuary.

Giving to the combined Sanctuary and Building Fund has been $75,578 – thank you!  You can donate to the sanctuary fund online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update May 26, 2022

Please click here to see the presentation that was shared with Leadership on May 22.

Update May 19, 2022

Demolition on the 1st floor continues to go well with asbestos abatement mostly completed.  The pews will be removed the week of May 23.  We will use chairs for the 10:30 a.m. worship service on May 29 and the one worship service on June 5 at 10:00 a.m.   We hope that painting of the sanctuary will begin the week of June 6 and we will be out of the sanctuary for a few weeks.  The 10:30 a.m. service will meet in the Worship Center during this time.

Our Finance Committee and Trustees continue to work to finalize the financing of the sanctuary project and the refinancing of the loan on the 2012 building.

We hope to have a more definitive schedule of work by mid June.  There will be opportunities to volunteer throughout the project – we are looking for folks who can paint, help with drywall, build a handicamp ramp starting in late June/July- contact the church office (office@culpeperbaptist.org) if you would like to help.

This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update May 4, 2022

The first floor of the sanctuary building will be sealed off on Monday, May 9 as demolition begins.  Please help us make sure no one accesses this area during demolition.  We are grateful for all the volunteers that helped us move furnishings off the first floor into the storage container.  So far 27 folks from CBC and Maranatha have volunteered 57.5 hours on the sanctuary building project.  There will be opportunities to volunteer throughout the project – we are looking for folks who can paint, help with drywall, build a handicamp ramp starting in late June/July- contact the church office (office@culpeperbaptist.org) if you would like to help.

This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update April 28, 2022

The work is starting, and you will certainly notice that over the next few weeks:

• Volunteers needed THIS Saturday morning to help us move items from the 1^st floor to the storage container (staring at 8:00 a.m.) Please let me know if you can help for a couple of hours.
• Demolition Services will start demo on the 1^st floor on May 9. Demolition Services, Inc – is a local company who has a lot of experience in abatement. In addition, we have hired an asbestos inspector to monitor the work throughout the abatement. The area will be sealed off throughout this process, and all abatement should completed by mid-June.
• We have also listed the church pews on a national “pew finder” website as well as local areas. Some pews have already been removed.  If you or someone you know would like a pew – let us know.
• We currently have painting and flooring contractors bidding the sanctuary work. IF everything goes well we would have that work done from mid-June-July.  During this part of the work we would need to be out of the sanctuary.
• I met with Maranatha on Sunday and shared with them our plans and our need for volunteers. I look forward to their support.

This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update, April 19, 2022

We need volunteers to help move items off the 1st floor – we will be working on Saturday, April 30 starting at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday, May 1 and May 8 starting at 3:00 p.m.  Please contact the church office (office@culpeperbaptist.org) if you can help on these days.  You couldl also come in other days if that works better for your schedule.

Demolition Services will start demolition on the 1^st floor in mid-May and will be finished by late June.  We will maintain use of the kitchen, but all other areas of the 1^st floor of the sanctuary building will be closed off to foot traffic.

This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update, April 5, 2022

Since the congregational vote on March 23, we have taken the following steps:

• Signed the contract with Southern Air. The entire project will be scheduled around their work; we hope to have their schedule by mid/late April.
• Robert Kinzer and Pastor Dan met with Atlantic Union Bank representative March 29. We have submitted appropriate financial specifics and other information as requested.
• Scheduled to meet with Southern Air, Demolition Services and Dex Sanders (architect) in mid April to discuss demo specifics needed on the Fellowship Hall floor for the new HVAC system.
• CBC has assumed the rental contract for a storage container to store items from the building during the construction phase.
• We continue to work with Maranatha and others for ways volunteers can do some of the work.
• Dex Sanders is drawing needed plans for permits and is working with Southern Air and Stage Sound to ensure their electrical needs are met.
• This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Update March 25

The church approved the plan at the March 23, 2022 Business Meeting.

The Finance Committee is currently working to finalize the financing of the project.

We are working with our contractors to develop a timeline for the work.  We expect work to begin in September, 2022.

This is a great time to donate to the Sanctuary Fund  – you can do that online or by designating a check to the “Sanctuary Fund.”  The church has a brokerage account and if you need additional information -please contact Mark Torosian (mtorosian@culpeperbaptist.org)

Mission & Ministry Plan

In just two short years, Culpeper Baptist will celebrate 250 years of ministry and mission to Culpeper and the world.  Moving forward boldly at opportune times continues to be a constant theme of our church history!  That boldness encompasses our story of religious liberty, relocation into the town of Culpeper from Mt. Poney (part of 5 different locations through our history), opening a child development center AND a senior adult retirement community in the 1940’s, just to name a few.  Throughout our history, in big and small ways, we have courageously embraced change and moved forward.

In recent years, we have entered a new season of change.  Our Child Development Center expanded to the 2011 Building and became the largest private childcare center in Culpeper.  Consequently, that growth led to a significant renovation on the 2^nd floor of the 1954 Building.  Some of our ministries have experienced a time of renewal; while new ministries have begun.   The recent renovation on the 1^st floor of the 1954 Building opens the door for Generations Central to begin and provides needed space for intergenerational activities, worship gatherings, socials and small groups.

We believe NOW is the time to move forward with another bold change.  As a church family, we have known for several years that our sanctuary building needs HVAC replacement, technology upgrades, acoustic treatment and an overall revitalization of the appearance.  At a time when our buildings are full of activities, the sanctuary building offers an additional 13,000 square feet of space we can utilize to bless our community and our church family!

Renovating the sanctuary building will expand the mission and ministry opportunities of the church to include the following:

Sanctuary

• The sanctuary would become the primary place of worship for our church. We would be able to gather in one Sunday morning service
• The sanctuary would also be the primary place of worship for Maranatha and potentially other churches who need space during the weekends.
• The sanctuary would be the largest gathering place in the Town of Culpeper–able to host concerts, mid-week ministries, funerals and other community events.
• We would be able to enhance the live-stream-experience, which has become so essential to our ministry, with better technology.
• Comfortable, flexible seating and larger aisles would provide a safer environment for all who attend.
• Technology for the hearing impaired that connects directly to an individual’s hearing aid will enhance their experience of worship.

 

 

The picture on the left is an example of how we could bring our three stain glass windows from the Davis Street church together into the sanctuary.  We would do some additional work with design/backlighting.

 

 

 

 

 

Fellowship Hall

• The Fellowship Hall [1^st floor] would come back to lifeProviding space for our Child Development CenterProviding gathering spaces for meals.
• Solving the acoustical challenges of the space.
• Providing an activity room for the CDC.

We also believe there will be more opportunities for ministries and mission than we can envision now.

Financial Plan

Let’s think together about the costs associated with the renovation of the sanctuary building in a way that will help us “see” how the dollars are spent as well as how the renovation will expand the reach of our ministry and mission for years to come.

• $ 99,203             Acoustic Treatment
  • Will finally solve the reverberation of sound ricocheting off the walls so we can hear what is being said/sung.
• $ 59,651             Audio Upgrade
  • Will improve live stream experience so essential to our online ministry as well as in-person events/services. [concerts, community funerals, etc.]
• $ 77,167             New Projection Equipment
  • Will also improve our live stream experience and our online presence for ministry and mission.
• $126,928 Lighting Upgrade for stage/house
  • Will improve overall visibility in the room for congregants, those on the stage as well as online participants.
• $537,924 HVAC System Replacement
  • Current unit needs replacement, current lifespan tenuous at best.
• $ 80,000             Asbestos Abatement/Demo (1^st floor)
  • Will alleviate health concerns and reduce liability due to presence of asbestos in current ceiling tiles.
• $600,000 Sanctuary:  Paint, carpet/flooring, stage construction, chairs, electrical work
  • Paint, carpet/flooring will refresh the general area
  • Stage construction will round out the front of that area, bringing speakers/performers in closer proximity with the congregation.
  • Chairs will make the room ADA compliant providing wider aisles to accommodate those with special needs/medical equipment and, technology is blue tooth compatible for the hearing impaired.
  • Electrical work will ensure that we will be up to speed to accommodate the upgraded audio and new technology for years to come.
  • Replacement of current screen with a larger permanent one will lend itself to higher image resolution, color accuracy and brightness for movies, concerts, conference/classes as well as worship services.

Fellowship Hall:  Lighting, new ramp, drywall, ceiling tiles, flooring

• Flooring, ceiling tiles, lighting will bring this area back to life and make it more useful for church meals, the child development and other community events as well. [New HVAC will also make this area a useful and comfortable area in the hotter summer months]. 
• New ramp will provide better wheelchair access [will be wider with a more gradual incline].
• Double doors for easier access with wheelchairs, catering equipment, etc.

This bold step provides many positive outcomes such as, a united experience of worship on Sunday mornings for our church family, launching new community ministries (Culpeper Intergenerational Center/Senior Adult Day), Middle School after School; as well as expanding ministries to families and caregivers.  In addition, we will have dealt with significant deferred maintenance issues and repurposed the sanctuary to be the primary place of worship and community gatherings.  Further, we will have also repurposed the building to generate income—greatly reducing dependency upon the church budget for maintenance and operational costs.

This is a bold plan to be sure, and it is designed to use the under-used additional space of the sanctuary building for many of the purposes you listed in previous gatherings as well as generate income for building upkeep without straining the church ministry budget.  It will take commitment, hard work and unusual generosity.

 

Leadership Council

Keri Nicholson, Chair                   Dave Mullins                    Geary Parkinson             Sandy Sewell

Virginia Stilwell                             Charles Triplett

Bob McCall (Personnel Rep)      Sally Napier, (Finance Rep)

Dan Carlton

Finance Committee

Thelma Moss, Chair                      Terri McClure                  Sally Napier

Robert Kinzer, Treasurer            Bob McCall, Assistant Treasurer