Exciting Construction Update

Over the past several years, we have been steadily working to strengthen and improve our facilities by addressing decades of deferred maintenance. This has included lighting upgrades and a transition to LED, installation of new HVAC units, parking lot improvements, a lobby remodel with the addition of three new bathrooms, as well as field fencing and irrigation upgrades.

These have not been merely cosmetic updates. Our aim has been to faithfully care for what the Lord has entrusted to us—repairing and improving what is necessary—while also creating space for new and growing ministry opportunities.

All of these improvements have been funded through our existing savings, without any additional fundraising. These savings have been made possible by several years of careful stewardship—underspending our budget while also operating with a smaller staff.

At the same time, through the faithful work of many ministry leaders—and in God’s kind providence—we have seen a steady increase in new people coming through our doors. With that blessing has come a real challenge: our auditorium is regularly at or beyond capacity. On many Sundays, people are spilling into the lobby or struggling to find seats, and some leave without ever settling in.

We know that when a space is consistently near full, it becomes difficult for guests to feel comfortable returning. We want to do everything we can to remove unnecessary barriers so that all who come have a clear opportunity to hear the gospel and take steps into joining the life of the church.

About ten years ago, Calvary faced a similar challenge. At that time, the Properties Committee, Deacons, and Elders made the decision to transition from pews to chairs in the auditorium to increase flexibility and seating capacity. For a variety of reasons, that decision was never carried out.

In the last year we have revisited this issue and carefully evaluated a range of possible solutions, including moving to two services, planting another church, or pursuing a larger expansion such as adding a balcony. Each of these options has merit, but each also carries significant cost, complexity, or disruption to our current ministry.

As we have prayed and considered what is most wise and feasible at this time—what we can afford, what best serves our church, and what allows us to move forward with the least disruption—we have concluded that there is a clear next step.

Building on the direction first established by our leaders ten years ago, we will move forward with increasing seating capacity in our existing auditorium. This will involve transitioning from pews to chairs, relocating the sound booth to the balcony (“crow’s nest”), and removing and rebuilding the current stage.

The present stage occupies nearly half of the room and is constructed with fixed concrete, limiting both seating and flexibility. By removing it, we will be able to add approximately three to five additional rows at the front of the auditorium, significantly increasing our capacity. At the same time, a new modular stage will allow us to expand or reduce platform space as needed for different types of gatherings and ministries. Additionally, pews are increasingly costly to maintain, repair, and clean. Chairs provide a more flexible, durable, and cost-effective solution for the long-term needs of our church.

We plan to begin construction in June, with an estimated timeline of six weeks. During that time, we will gather for worship in the gym. This timing allows us to minimize disruption to existing ministries like Awana and Calvary Youth, while also taking advantage of the summer season, when outdoor gatherings and fellowship opportunities are more accessible.

In preparation for this transition, we have already begun making improvements to the gym, including new lighting, along with planned updates to paint and sound coming in the future. The gym has long been a challenging environment, and many who use it have expressed the need for upgrades. This temporary move gives us an opportunity to begin addressing those needs in a meaningful way. If you have any questions about this initial project, please feel free to email Pastor Joel at jvaught@calvarythedalles.org.

Looking ahead, both the Stewardship Committee and the Elders are aligned in planning for a more significant phase of improvements in 2027. This will likely include a new gym floor, as well as remodeling and expanding children’s ministry space, particularly in the K–4 areas where we have outgrown our current capacity and need to better serve families.

The future is exciting, and we are grateful for what the Lord is doing among us. This summer will bring some temporary inconvenience, but it is in service of preparing our space for greater ministry in the years ahead.

All of this is ultimately about more than a building. It is about our calling as a church—to love God, love others, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. The spaces we gather in matter because they serve that mission. They create room for people to hear the Word, to be known, to grow, and to respond to the gospel.

As we look ahead, we also want to prepare you for what is coming next. The Elders and Stewardship Committee believe the Lord is leading us toward a more comprehensive season of investment in our facilities in the near future. In the coming year, we anticipate bringing before the church a larger capital campaign that will address long-term needs and expand our capacity for ministry in meaningful ways.

For now, we are asking you to pray. Pray for wisdom, unity, and provision. Pray that these improvements would serve the advance of the gospel in our church and in our community. And pray that we would remain faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.

We are grateful for you, and we are eager to see how the Lord will continue to work in and through Calvary in the days ahead as we press forward in faith to reach our community with the good news of Jesus.

Pastor David