Frequently Asked Questions: Redeemer Sanctuary Capital Campaign
Following are the topics of interest about the sanctuary that have been raised most frequently. Over time we will provide further FAQs, explanatory documents, and reference materials. If you have a question about any of these answers or any other question or comment, please reach out to us at sanctuary@redeemerpres.org
The public study report and results of the congregational survey can be found here.
Cost of Sanctuary
Q: How much is being raised to build the sanctuary?
A: $22 million. The Session hired Carter Vecera to provide an estimate. Mr. Vecera is the lead estimator for the Beck Group, a top commercial contractor in Austin. He will also serve as the church’s representative as we move through design and construction. The $22 million is based on his professional estimate and includes a substantial buffer for inflation and other contingencies.
Construction Timeline
Q: If we raise the full $22 million in 2024, when is the sanctuary expected to be complete?
A: January 2028 is the move-in date on the timeline developed by Mr. Vecera.
Seating Questions
Q: How many seats does the new sanctuary have?
A: The Session mandated 500-600 seats, including a choir gallery. At this size, it was expected that we could send off a daughter church plant without harming the mother. To meet the Session’s requirement, the new sanctuary’s potential layout has 557 seats: 480 for the congregation in the nave, 67 for congregants in the choir gallery, and 10 seats for leaders on the chancel and in the choir gallery.
Q: How does this seat count compare with Covenant Hall as it stands?
A: We currently have 377 seats, including the choir gallery and leaders, so the new sanctuary’s 557 represents an increase of 48%. Excluding the choir gallery and leaders, we currently have 332 seats, so the new sanctuary’s 480 represents an increase of 45%.
Q: How will the row layout in the new sanctuary compare with Covenant Hall?
A: Covenant Hall has 18 rows of 9 chairs per side and a final row with instruments and some chairs. Using the same chairs, the new sanctuary can extend to 25 rows. Most rows would have 10 chairs per side, with some only 9 to allow for entering and exiting the nave (see below for more details).
Q: What consideration has been given to getting into and out of the rows?
A: The layout of a sister church with a similar design, Covenant PCA in Nashville, was examined for reference, and the pictures on its website (covenantpres.com) may help to visualize this. Most rows end in the open space under the arches, allowing easy entry or exit, but some end in the stone supports under the arches, called piers. In these rows, we remove one chair, creating 21” to 22” of space for people to pass through. By comparison, Covenant has 17” of space between their pews and stone piers.
Q: I’ve heard that the worship space isn’t wide enough for a full row of chairs and a good center aisle. What are the measurements of a row?
A: We believe there’s some confusion about the size of our current chairs. Including the black connectors between the chairs, a row of 10 chairs is just under 17 feet wide. Assuming we use the same size chairs in the nave of the new sanctuary, with the chair layout described above, we can maintain our current 5 foot center aisle, with three inches to spare.
Q: Any popular appeal for kneelers?
A: Kneelers have been discussed and are still under consideration. Their penitential appeal is being weighed against the added cost, along with providing greater flexibility for the space and uses in the sanctuary. Thankfully, this is a decision that can still be modified until closer to the time we move in.
Fire Code
Q: Has the fire code been considered?
A: The Session has engaged Owen Harrod of MWM Design Group to be the architect of record for the sanctuary. The architect of record is the architect whose name appears on the building permit, so he is responsible to ensure the project complies with all applicable building codes, zoning laws, and other regulations. Dr. Harrod has decades of experience doing permitting in Austin.
Q: Has the sanctuary seating plan been considered for compliance with the fire code?
A: Dr. Harrod has reviewed the seating chart that totals 557 chairs – 480 for the congregation, 67 for the choir, 8 on the chancel, 1 for the organist, and 1 for the chief musician – and has concluded it presents no problems.
Q: Have building codes been considered? I have been told their requirements might reduce the congregation’s seating from 480 to 430 or even 400.
A: Dr. Harrod has examined this question and the specific building code provisions some have cited. He indicates that these sections of the code are about stepped aisles in a theater, not our open congregational space, and that the code does not govern furniture (such as chairs) at all:
“Simple answer is that the proposed seating plan represents a furniture layout. Egress provisions of the Building Code (and the Fire Code, which incorporates the same language) only governs constructed conditions. The aisle widths cited below pertain to stepped aisles in theaters, and actually mandates 48” for stepped aisles with seating on both sides, 42” for ramped aisles with seating on both sides, and 36” for any aisles having seating on one side. However there are no constructed aisles proposed in the sanctuary other than the liturgical aisles, which are more than sufficiently wide.”
Use of Sanctuary
Q: Has the Session made any limitations on use of the sanctuary?
A: The Session has established a committee to begin examining this question but has made no decisions. The Session will consider a number of factors, foremost being Redeemer’s needs and the demands that will be placed on our staff, as well as ensuring our right to limit access for purposes and groups consistent with Scripture and our principles and values.
Parking Considerations
Note: This will be the next section of the FAQs to be completed, even as some other sections are supplemented. We will address total parking after completion, parking during construction, the logistics of using the parking garage, what happens in bad weather, and the assistance that can be provided for young families, the elderly, and those with mobility issues. Should you have any questions about this topic (or others), please send them to sanctuary@redeemerpres.org