WestSide is a place that has always been gathering, growing, and going! This mission statement has helped us share the Gospel, welcome our neighbors, and build faith together. Now, we are looking ahead to how this mission statement takes on physical form, with a potential building project.

Check back here for a history of these conversations, as well as updates on where WestSide is at in the process currently. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and dreams for the future of our church! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Elisa at [email protected].

Fall 2022

WestSiders participated in a strategic planning conversation. This process identified two key needs for the congregation: more staff and more space.

Fall 2023

Growing Pains Campaign & Addition of Volunteer Coordinator Position

Over $24,000 was raised for the Growing Pains campaign, which resulted in projects to help alleviate pressure on physical space in the church. A storage shed was added, as well as other updates for efficiency and security.

Ashley Christianson was hired as the part-time Volunteer Coordinator. She does great work in recruiting and communicating with volunteers for WestSide’s many congregational events and service opportunities. This completed one of the two key needs made known in the 2022 strategic planning conversation.

January/February 2024

While the Growing Pains campaign was helpful in utilizing space, conversations continued about permanent building adjustments. A Building Project Committee was formed. WestSide’s Church Council also hired Koch Hazard Architects to help guide next steps.

March 24 & April 7, 2024

Congregational Input Sessions

During these sessions, over 50 participants met in small groups to discuss what they like about WestSide’s current space, and how they imagine it could be improved. Notes were taken during the discussion and reviewed further by the Building Project Committee.

Three areas of prioritization were then determined, as they received the most comments during the input sessions about opportunities for improvement and expansion:

• Classroom/Education space
• Fellowship Hall
• Outdoor space

The responses from the input sessions and areas of prioritization were given to Koch Hazard Architects for review and a recommended plan. 

July 2024

In a special meeting, the congregation approved the purchase of more pews to provide additional seating in the sanctuary. Due to the custom nature of these pews, delivery is expected by Easter 2025. This was a result of a hope for more seating as named in the Congregational Input Sessions.

August 2024

A new sound system was installed in the Fellowship Hall, kitchen, and classrooms offering expanded multimedia use in the space. One goal of this was to provide an additional space to view Sunday morning worship in real-time. This was a result of a hope for overflow for worship as named in the Congregational Input Sessions.

September/October 2024

Koch Hazard created building renditions of renovation and expansion using the feedback given by the congregation at the input sessions earlier this year. The Building Expansion Committee reviewed the renditions, gathered financial information, and made a recommendation to the Council to offer information sessions to the congregation about the project.

November 10 & 24, 2024

Building Information Sessions were held to share the design/construction documents with the congregation, as well as financials. The two sessions saw 71 attendees who brought great questions and comments about the project.

January 2025

After discussions during the Building Information Sessions, working with financial institutions, and conversations with the Council and Building Expansion Committee, revisions were made to the design/construction plans in order to scale back the project for affordability. The outdoor patio and renovations of the existing building have been put on hold, and the classroom addition square footage was reduced, for a new construction estimate of $1.5M. A generous donor has committed significant funds with the expectation that the congregation be solicited to participate in funding the project.

February 2, 2025

A Special Congregational Meeting was held so the congregation could be updated and vote to approve the costs associated with securing architect and civil design services, not to exceed $110,000, and to be covered by the current balance in the building fund. The vote passed unanimously.

Building updates will be provided to the congregation every other Sunday as the design and construction documents are finalized. All are welcome to join in these sessions, happening at 10 am in the Sanctuary on February 16, March 2, March 16, and March 30.

If you have questions or are interested in making a financial gift to this project, please contact Pastor Elisa or Pam Homan. You can find the Gift Acceptance Form here.