St John Vision Meetings Summary
Introduction
During November and December 2021, a series of four open meetings were held seeking input on the eventual expansion of the St John ministry campus. These meetings were hosted by Baker Galloway and Mike Brown.
The purpose of these meetings was to begin a general conversation regarding our future expansion projects. The current plan was developed over 10 years ago, and there are now many new members of our parish since these plans were conceived.
A total of 22 people attended, some of this number attended multiple meetings. In addition, several others who were unable to attend provided input outside of the meetings.
Below is a summary of the comments. It is important to note that while these are valuable comments and thoughts collected during these meetings, they do not represent any final design decisions. Periodically, on upcoming Sundays, there will be a booth in the Narthex or the outdoor fellowship area to allow for continuing the building vision discussion. Watch the Happy Priest emails for these events.
Temple
Presented: Temple design currently on display in the Narthex, recently approved Site Plan
Note: Our ushers have been counting an average of 150 to 170 souls attending each Sunday Divine Liturgy (an average, non-feast Liturgy).
The new Temple building should have capacity for about 300 worshippers. The Nave should remain free of seating except around the perimeter. The choir should be “invisible,” that is, set off to the side and/or out of the sight, not obstructing sight lines to the altar and iconostasis from the nave.
The majority of attendants strongly supported a building with a dome for both indoor and outdoor aesthetics; however, all recognized that significant construction cost and ongoing maintenance (e.g., roof leaks) may be prohibitive. The current design has a bell tower; if a dome is not possible, then perhaps a compromise between a dome and a bell tower can be found. For example, a “lantern” structure that lets vertical light in high in the nave, but is rectangular rather than dome-shaped. Others weighed in to advocate for a temple with no dome, for aesthetic and/or pastoral reasons. A consensus was not reached on this issue.
All attendants wanted a chapel somewhere on the property, but did not feel that it had to be attached to the Temple building. It could be in the Parish House or as a stand-alone structure.
Long Hall
Presented: Long Hall Expansion design, adding a 2,500 square foot wing onto the South side
Once the Temple is built, the groups envisaged an expanded Long Hall with as much multipurpose space as possible. The latest design (on display in the Narthex) called for a classroom wing to be added. The groups felt that an expanded Long Hall could be better used for indoor fellowship, administration (copy machine, computer, etc.), choir rehearsal area, storage, SOYO, adult education, the bookstore, a library with tables and chairs, and the kitchen where coffee could be readily accessed.
The kitchen would expand into the current cry room. There was not an overwhelming sense of the need for a commercial kitchen due to expensive code-required improvements; however, all agreed that at a minimum the current kitchen must be upgraded to include additional cabinets and storage, a garbage disposal (if possible given condition of sewer line fall), and electrical outlets that can handle substantially higher electrical loads. It was clear to the groups that a better understanding of the requirements for kitchen use is needed before deciding between a commercial/non-commercial kitchen.
It was noted that with the planned expansion of the Long Hall, there will s8ll be insufficient space for indoor community meals with all members, even with expanded banquet capacity onto the current altar area and into a south wing. Therefore, the building should facilitate flow to the outdoor areas via additional side exit doors to the North.
Parish House
Overwhelmingly, the attenders supported dedicating the Parish House to children’s education. Catechists present were in agreement that the parish house is a better location for children’s education than a South wing on the Long Hall. Children’s ministry wanted 3 large rooms (ideally 1200 square feet each) for each of the age-specific programs, and an additional, expanded room for the nursery.
In this configuration, the bookstore, library, adult education, SOYO, and the choir would move to the Long Hall (see above). If necessary, the Parish House might be expanded to the West, at the current Level 3 Atrium classroom’s gable roof.
Outside Grounds
Presented: recently approved Site Plan, fencing design for play area The outside grounds provide for multiple uses.
Dining
There is a felt need for covered seating between the Long Hall and Parish House. It is proposed that this be a pavilion that would fit 10 picnic tables. The groups felt the pavilion should have counter space, lighting, and electrical outlets to allow for limited food service, as needed.
Children’s playground
There is no substantive change planned for the current children’s playground. The Long Hall expansion may or may not include additional exit doors onto the playground, depending on the ultimate priorities for playground security, fellowship traffic flow, and emergency egress of the Long Hall.
Older kids’ play area
There had been an idea to have a large, open field on the south side of the Temple for large playground for older kids. This is now not possible because of the cost of tree removal. We must pay the city of Cedar Park a fee for removing certain trees; this cost of this is prohibitive. Also, on the south side the kids would be out of sight of the existing picnic areas requiring a third picnic area for safe supervision.
When the current west parking lot construction plan is completed (first half of 2022?), there will be a large area for the kids between the current sidewalk between the Long Hall and the Parish House and the new parking lot. This area will provide plenty of space for soccer-like activities. The new space will also require thinking about the safety of 1) the kids, 2) those in the west parking lot and the picnic area, and 3) cars in the west parking lot. The groups brainstormed ideas about a three-sided barrier (fencing?) around this play area that would provide for safety and still allow for openness to the picnic area between the Long Hall and Parish House.
Memorial Garden
The St Joanna Myrrhbearers (burial society) would like space for a memorial garden where we could remember and pray for those parish members who have died. The groups felt that this should be a secluded spot rather than a high-traffic area. Concern was voiced that if it was too secluded it could become a local, nighttime party spot.
Further considerations
All new landscaping should maximize beauty and minimize human intervention, including minimizing additional watering and maintenance.
We should consider covered sidewalks for those main transit routes between buildings or between buildings and parking lots.
In addition, there is currently no provision for a drop off area for those who cannot easily walk from a parking space to a building. Provision must be made for such an area.
Project order
A couple of the groups were queried on their preferred order to proceed with the expansion project. The consensus was, after the parking lot expansion is finished:
1) Provide older kids with a play space;
2) Build the pavilion;
3) Construct the new Temple; then
4) Revisit the redesign of the Long Hall and Parish House, and proceed as necessary.