Before Matt Rowe became rector at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity last October, he was told the church was planning a major expansion, but he didn't know how extensive it would be.
Among other things, the additions will include a courtyard, a new parish center, a playground, more parking, and more space for youth and Boy Scout groups.
"When I first saw the plans, I was sort of taken aback," Rowe said. "But if it all comes to be, it's going to be a wonderful space."
The improvements should benefit not only the Howard Street church but the area around it, he said.
"I think it will contribute to the ongoing redevelopment of the downtown area. It's going to make downtown a more pleasant place," he said. "There's a real strong desire amongst our members to be good neighbors and be a positive presence in the community. So we wanted the facilities to be something that everyone will enjoy - if not using, at least looking at."
The first stage of the project involves the youth and Boy Scout centers, which occupy the Howard Street building that formerly housed Evelyn's clothing store. The building has been gutted, and the walls now match the needed layout.
The new site will give these groups more room, and Rowe hopes they will be able to add more special events such as "Fifth Quarter" gatherings after football games.
"We hope to be able to say this is open for use by the time school starts in August - and I think we can do it," Rowe said.
Next, three storefront buildings, which the church has owned for at least 10 years, will be taken down. Rowe said he hopes that can be done during the third quarter of 2007.
Construction on the parish center is likely to begin by early 2008. If that goes as planned, offices will be moved there and then, probably during summer, the existing building will be renovated. The whole project probably will be completed in late 2008, Rowe said.
The main room of the new parish center will have space for 400 people to stand or 275 people to sit. The center will include a library, a larger kitchen, larger offices and more meeting space. The choir, which has had to share space with other organizations on occasion, will have its own place to rehearse.
Rowe said the biggest impact on day-to-day operations probably will come when the new facility is finished and they start renovating the existing one.
For a time, "once the construction really starts, it may not be the most beautiful setting for a wedding or things like that," he said, "but once it gets built, it will be lovely."
With the added space, Rowe hopes to make rooms available for community groups to meet. With a larger kitchen, the church will be able to host large parish meals and invite more people to its Shrove Tuesday pancake supper.
Parking also will be improved. Currently, the lot is at the end opposite from the church, making it difficult on rainy days. So a covered walkway and pickup area will be added.
Next to the Rose Community Building, there will be a 48-foot-wide courtyard that can house receptions. It will have a fountain, and a columbarium on either side of the courtyard will serve as a place to inter people's remains.
In the existing building, the layouts of the Sunday school and office wing will be essentially the same, except for some modernizations such as three-pronged electrical outlets.
In the church, the pipe organ will be renovated to fix wear and tear and add some 16-foot pipes to bring out more bass. Otherwise, the worship space, which has been there since the church was built in 1902, won't change. "It's a well-loved and well-prayed-in space," Rowe said.
The church is working with Foil Wyatt Architects of Jackson. Rowe said the current cost estimate for the project is about $3.25 million, although that could grow as construction costs rise. They plan to solicit contractor bids in summer or September, so they will have a better estimate then.
But the members of Nativity already have stepped up. In about three months, the church has raised about $3.2 million - and although the bulk of that campaign is over, contributions and letters of intent still are coming in. In fact, since some people wait until the end of a year to plan their giving, money could be coming in for the rest of the year, Rowe said.
"The response of the members of our parish has been enthusiastic and quite generous," he said.
Rowe said he saw an initial drawing of the plans in late October. The structures committee of the church's lay governing board looked at the plans and sought the input of some others in the church. When the plans were unveiled at a parish meeting in January, they got a great reception.
The Construction Consultation Working Group, composed of about 20 members, also has worked with the structures committee. Some members help with the design of the nursery, some with the design of the kitchen and others with the youth area, the choir room or other places.
People who have skills in decorating or other facets of the operation have contributed ideas.
"I really trust the group that put this together," Rowe said. "They have a lot of experience in construction and building. I'm very confident that they're reasonable in their cost forecasting."
