Calendar of Campaign Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Campaign Newsletters

Schematic Design Floor Plan

About the Organ Designer

Capital Campaign Home

St. Peter's Home

Knocking on Heaven's Door

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please click here for a printable version of the FAQs.

    General:
  1. Why do we need a capital campaign at this time? -- A long-range planning process begun in 2004 identified the preservation of our historic 100+ year old church as a key challenge facing the parish. A comprehensive assessment of the building's structural, mechanical, electrical, and acoustical systems was performed in 2005 to develop a master plan for the renovation and preservation of the building for the next 100 years. Consideration was also given to the findings of the Organ Committee, which recommended replacement of St. Peter's existing Austin Organ, Opus 1872. After careful and thorough study, the financial prudence of addressing needed renovations to the building and replacement of the pipe organ at the same time became apparent. A capital campaign is required to secure the funds needed to implement these projects.

  2. How much money are we trying to raise? -- Our goal is to raise $3.5 - $4 million dollars.

  3. When will the campaign begin and how long will it last? -- Planning for the campaign, including formation of a Campaign Cabinet, has been underway since March. While members of the Campaign Cabinet have already begun to solicit some early, key gifts, the parish will officially launch the campaign in January 2008. A number of special events are planned to begin that month, including an official kick-off festivity, campaign preview receptions and zip code parties, and a Guest Sermon Series that will invite clergy who hold special relationships with St. Peter's parish to speak at Sunday worship services. The phase of the campaign during which period Parish Gifts will be solicited will start in January and is expected to last until late spring or summer 2008. This is a five-year fund-raising campaign, meaning that pledges made this year or in 2008 are payable over a five year period.

  4. Who is in charge of the campaign? -- The campaign is led by a Campaign Cabinet:
    • Bill Williamson, Chair
    • Brian Simpson, Co-chair
    • Althea Callaway, Senior Warden
    • David Pittman, Rector
    • Kristin Bradberry, At Large
    • Steve Bentley, Major Gifts
    • Mark Boyd, Special Gifts
    • Ellison Clary, Parish Gifts
    • Josephine Hicks, Communication


  5. How can I learn more about the projects that the campaign will support and the progress of the campaign? -- A number of informational events and tools will keep you informed. A series of campaign preview receptions is underway and will continue throughout the campaign. Everyone will be invited to one or more of these events, with ample opportunities for questions and answers. In addition, you can expect to see special edition campaign newsletters, a new campaign page on our website, and a new campaign communications center in the Gallery of the Church Office, just outside the Chapel.

  6. Who will be asked to contribute to the campaign? -- Every household in the congregation will be asked to consider making a pledge, as will members of the church staff. St. Peter's Episcopal Church is a cornerstone of the Charlotte community, so other individuals and sources outside the congregation will be asked to consider making financial contributions to the campaign as well.
    Building Renovations:
  7. Who is on the Building Committee? -- Member of the Building Committee are:
    • Brian Simpson, Chair
    • Geoffrey Curme
    • André Fleuriel
    • Sam Gardner, Organ Subcommittee Chair
    • Rob Smith
    • Terry Eason, Terry Byrd Eason Design, Liturgical Space Planner
    • Mike David, Hostetter & Keach, General Contractor
    • Steve Dieck, C.B. Fisk & Co., Organ Builder


  8. What specifically will the renovations include? Planned renovations and improvements to our church structure are guided by four primary objectives: (1) ensuring the structural integrity of our historic church building; (2) replacing outdated mechanical and electrical systems; (3) making appropriate preparations to support a substantial investment in a new organ; and (4) re-capturing worship space freed up by the relocation of the organ and choir.
    • repair and reflashing of the roof;
    • construction of a new narthex that will become the primary entrance to the church and provide disability access;
    • upgrade of the fire alarm system to code compliance;
    • upgrade of the electrical system, including enhanced reading-level lighting;
    • replacement of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems that will include code compliance, new packaged air handlers, introduction of fresh air, and a substantial increase in the volume of conditioned air provided to the church;
    • refinishing of the barrel vault ceiling and other interior surfaces;
    • remodeling of side aisle ceilings to improve acoustical qualities;
    • repair of all plaster walls;
    • injection of foam insulation in the side walls to improve insulation and acoustical qualities;
    • removal and replacement of the floor, including stiffening of the underlying structure;
    • repair of the old choir space and organ room, including installation of arched openings between them and bringing their finish level to that of the rest of the church


  9. Does the renovation plan include all improvements to the church that were identified in the assessment of the structure and systems of the church? -- No. The base renovation plan does not include non-essential or deferrable projects, such as exterior renovation of the church, restoration of the Chancel, and pew refinishing.

  10. Will the church look different after the renovations? -- Yes, there will be some visible changes. The most significant will include the newly constructed narthex area and the relocation of the organ and choir area to the rear of the church. The end result of some other of the planned renovations, such as installation of new HVAC and fire alarm systems and upgrade of the existing electrical system, will be transparent to the eye, but will offer substantial structural, safety, physical comfort, and operating efficiency improvements.

  11. Can we still use the church for worship during the renovation? -- No, the nature of some of the renovation projects, including replacement of the floor and improvements to the electrical and HVAC systems, preclude use of the church without incurring significant additional expense, as well as extending the time required to complete renovation work. We plan to use Martha Bowles Parish Hall - which offers ample space for worship services - during the period of time when we are unable to occupy the church.

  12. When will the renovation begin, and how long will it last? -- Renovations to the church are planned to begin in early January 2009 and should last until just before Advent of that same year, at which time we would expect to be able to re-occupy the church for worship services. The building must then 'season' for approximately six months following its renovation before the new organ can be installed. The installation of the new organ is planned for spring 2010.
    Pipe Organ Replacement:
  13. Why do we need to replace the organ? -- Music is an essential part of the liturgy practiced at St. Peter's and of outreach into the community. Problems with the existing Austin Organ, Opus 1872 have long been apparent. St. Peter's Vestry formed an Organ Committee in 2001 to consider whether the existing Austin organ would remain viable with repair, or should be replaced. Among the problems associated with the organ, several stand out. The organ can be expected to require frequent and expensive maintenance, as well as significant replacement of component parts. Some parts of the organ are proprietary to the Austin company, which has since gone out of business and no longer supplies parts or solutions. Costs of replacing parts have been estimated to equal approximately half the cost of purchasing a new organ. With a remaining life expectancy of approximately thirty years at best, even with extensive repair, the committee concluded that rebuilding the existing organ would not represent a sound financial decision.

  14. What will the new organ be like? -- The existing organ utilizes an electro-pneumatic action design, a design that was considered "state of the art" in 1934. Over time, however, this type of design has proved to require more frequent and costly repairs than those of traditional, centuries-old mechanical action design organs, and to have a shorter life expectancy as well. The new organ will be built by the company C.B Fisk, Inc. and will have a traditional mechanical action design, utilizing techniques developed over centuries and still working in organs that are several hundred years old. Such an instrument should be expected to serve St. Peter's easily for a century or more, with maintenance that is routine, planned and less costly over time than that of the existing organ. While the design and specification basics of the new Fisk organ are known, the final specifications of the organ will be determined at a later date. Construction of the new organ would start in 2009.

  15. Why did we choose C.B. Fisk, Inc. to design and build the new organ? -- A number of companies and their work were researched by the Organ Committee. The committee considered C.B. Fisk, Inc. to be the company that most closely matched the vision of St. Peter's liturgical and outreach music programs. The firm is an American company, located in Gloucester, Massachusetts, which has been in business since 1961 and has an outstanding reputation both in the United States and abroad. You can visit company's website at www.cbfisk.com.

  16. Have we committed to purchasing a new organ? -- The process of designing and building a new organ is a multi-year project. To that end, St. Peter's has signed a letter of intent for purchase of the new organ and made an initial deposit of $50,000. These actions were necessary to secure a place in the queue of orders placed with C.B. Fisk and to ensure installation of the organ within a timeframe consistent with other planned renovation work.

  17. Why do we need to relocate the organ? -- The reason the organ would be moved to the rear of the church is the result of a convergence of several factors - acoustics, method of design and construction, space requirements, and the need to accommodate St. Peter's choirs and musical support of programs. For maximum sound quality and acoustics, it is important to locate the organ on the main, long axis of the church nave. Locating the organ in the rear of the church will meet those criteria, without impacting the beauty of the St. Peter's Chancel and Sanctuary area.
    Outreach Fund:
  18. The campaign includes provision of an Outreach Fund. How much will be put aside for this purpose? -- A tithe of ten percent of funds raised will be set aside to create a special fund to advance the outreach direction of the parish.

  19. Don't we do Outreach now? Why is more needed? -- St. Peter's has a long history of serving others, especially those in need, through past and present activities and support, such as St. Peter's and Good Samaritan Hospitals, Thompson Children's Home (now Thompson Child & Family Focus), St. Peter's Soup Kitchen, the Urban Ministry Center, The Augustine Project at St. Peter's, the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network, Samaritan House, Habitat for Humanity, Room in the Inn, Episcopal Outreach Camp, and the Charlotte CROP Walk. This commitment to outreach is central to our mission as a parish and is even stronger today than in the past - we want to make certain that it remains one of our top priorities in the future.
    Pledging:
  20. I already give to the Every Member Canvas - why do I need to give again? -- Funds given annually through the Every Member Canvas are dedicated to covering the routine operating costs of running the parish, such as utilities, staffing and basic maintenance expenses. The capital campaign will provide funds for non-routine but necessary expenses that cannot be covered under the annual operating budget.

  21. Will giving to the capital campaign have a negative impact on the stewardship campaign? -- No, we believe that people understand that both campaigns are needed and that the annual operating budget needs must continue to be met.

  22. How will I be contacted for my pledge? -- Everyone will be personally contacted to consider a pledge by a member of one of the campaign's gift teams. Requests for Parish Gifts will begin in January 2008 after the official launch of the campaign.

  23. How will I know what to give? -- We are asking each member to give prayerful consideration about what their commitment to the campaign should be.

  24. Must I pay the total amount of my pledge all at once? -- This is a five-year fund-raising campaign. You may choose to pay your pledge at one time or make a series of payments over a period of up to five years. All contributions will be noted on your regular church statement, which is sent out quarterly. Contributions are tax-deductible in the year that they are received.

  25. What are the ways in which I may fulfill my pledge? --
    1. Checks should be made payable to St. Peter's Episcopal Church with "Capital Campaign" noted in the memo line.
    2. Stock is an excellent way to fulfill your gift to the campaign. Gifts of stock must be transferred to St. Peter's prior to the sale to receive maximum tax benefits. You or your financial advisor may contact St. Peter's Business Manager Mary Ann Wexler at 704-332-7746, ext. 107 for specific instructions.
    3. Donation of an IRA.


  26. May I provide my pledge through a deferred gift vehicle? -- Yes, deferred gifts will be considered under certain circumstances. If you are interested in making a deferred gift, please contact Ellison Clary, St. Peter's Planned Giving Officer at 704-344-0893, Bill Williamson, Campaign Chair at 704-887-2484, or Mary Ann Wexler, St. Peter's Business Manager at 704-332-7746, ext. 107.

  27. Will my contribution to the campaign be tax deductible? -- Yes, your contribution to the campaign will be fully tax-deductible.

  28. Can my gift be designated? -- Naming opportunities for larger gifts are under consideration.

  29. We have an Endowment Fund - why can't money from that fund be used to pay for renovations and a new organ? -- The current endowment fund income is not large enough to cover the costs outlined in this campaign. The purpose of the endowment is to maintain its principal and to provide income for long-term support of St. Peter's.

  30. Who will know how much I give? -- After your pledge card is received, you will receive an acknowledgement letter containing the amount of your pledge from the church's Business Manager. The campaign cabinet member who contacted you about making a pledge will be made aware that you have made a pledge, but will not know the amount of your pledge. No other individual from the church or campaign cabinet will be aware of how much you have pledged.

  31. If I pledge today, when would I begin my contributions? -- While contributions can begin at any time, they should preferably begin in the year your pledge is made. A quarterly statement will be sent out which shows your remaining pledge balance. Remember that tax credit will be given in the year contributions are received.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church · 115 West Seventh Street · Charlotte, NC 28202
Call us at (704) 332-7746 or e-mail us at webinfo@st-peters.org for more information.

Calendar | FAQs | Newsletters | Floor Plan | Organ Designer | Contributors | Campaign Home | St. Peter's Home