Vision of Faith: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the Hillsboro Church of Christ need to build an addition if the membership is actually smaller in number than in years past?
A: Hillsboro is building for its future. Based on current trends in church growth nationwide, the growing membership of our church and the evolving needs of our current fellowship, we have decided that this addition will allow us to offer more flexible fellowship space, more family and personal resources and a place where meaningful outreach and ministry can take place.
Q: What will the addition look like – how big is it and what will it include?
A: The addition will be approximately 32,000 square feet of new space that includes extra classrooms, a non-regulation gymnasium, fellowship space and workspace for various ministries. It will be joined to our current 51,000 square foot facility and has been designed to be a seamless addition that reflects the character and aesthetic of our primary building and surrounding landscape.
Q: Won’t the addition create extra noise, light and traffic in the area?
A: Other than the temporary noise, light and traffic associated with the construction of the addition, the permanent facility will not create excess light, noise or traffic.
At the request of the city, construction is underway to add a southbound turn lane to Hillsboro Road leading in to our west entrance. The new turn lane, along with improvements to sight lines (from the removal of underbrush and a tree that was blocking a clear view of the Hillsboro Road/Tyne Blvd intersection) should help alleviate current and future traffic concerns for our building. Most of our traffic is generated during non-peak times and is aided on Sunday mornings by a uniformed police officer.
As for lighting, the lighting plan for the addition has been designed to limit output to the existing property and will be lighting that is consistent with a church, not a shopping center.
Neighbors should expect no additional noise. A larger building will actually absorb more noise and very few events will require outdoor tents once the addition is complete, thereby reducing noise levels outside during events. In essence, the church will remain a church and will remain a place of worship.
Q: Will more trees be removed from our neighborhood for this addition?
A: The project will actually leave approximately 100 more trees on the property than the city requires. The extra trees will also help to absorb light and noise. We are committed to maintaining the beautiful landscape of this area.
Q: Is the church being compliant with the City’s requirements?
A: The process for the Vision of Faith project began in 2006. Through every stage of the process, the church has kept the City of Forest Hills informed of its progress and plans. The church has been committed to compliance throughout the project planning stage in order to ensure all building requirements will be met and even exceeded so there will be no question regarding their intentions for the property. They have redrawn the original plan to have less square footage and they have completely changed the parking lot configuration based on the requests of the Planning Commission.
Q: Will you be removing the Tyne House – the parsonage that sits on the church’s property on Tyne Boulevard?
A: Because we want to fully comply with the Forest Hills zoning requirements, we may be required to remove the Tyne House. Based on the interpretation of the City code, the house must be included in the overall church property footprint. Although it is our desire to keep the house, which helps to perpetuate the neighborhood feel on the Tyne Boulevard side of our property, we will remove it if necessary to continue with this project.
Q: Is the church adding this building so that they can eventually open a school?
Opening a school is NOT part of the Hillsboro Vision of Faith. Hillsboro Church of Christ has no plans to ever pursue building a school based on the fact that the Forest Hills/Green Hills area is saturated with private schools and that zoning would not allow for a new school in the area.
Q: How will the church addition benefit the community?
A: Hillsboro Church of Christ does not exist for its members only. Our desire and mission involves reaching out to world around us so that “all may know Jesus” through our ministry programs. Some of these programs include Meals on Wheels, Room in the Inn, Inner City Ministry classes for children, Day in the City community work days, and Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. The church also hosts an annual community Easter egg hunt and Trunk or Treat at Halloween. In recent years, the church has also served as a staging ground for community storm relief efforts. With the new addition, existing ministries will have more room for growth and new ministries will have a place to begin. At all times, our church has an open door policy to our community as a place for worship, fellowship, counseling and benevolence.
Also, the church regularly offers the main facility and surrounding grounds for community use. Approximately three to four times a month, the church is used for community meetings, weddings, parking for area events, seminars and social events, to name a few. The new facility and upgrades will allow the church to be consistently available to the community for these needs.
Q: Who can I contact if I have further questions?
A: Please feel free to visit Church Life Minister Stan Lowery at the church office during the week from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
You can also contact Stan Lowery at 615-665-0014 or via email – Stan Lowery.