Building on the Legacy
the next one hundred years

After five years of planning, we are in the midst of an ambitious campaign to renovate our existing facilities, build a new multipurpose community center, and redesign our campus for maximum parking. Together we have committed to continue to be in the right place at the right time by Building on the Legacy for the next century.

Construction has begun!  For updates, click here.

Belmont celebrated a successful Capital Funds campaign, Building on the Legacy, in November 2005. Belmonters have pledged nearly $3,000,000 towards renovations, new constructions, and enhancements to ministries that will help us to realize God’s plans for our church. Since that time, a Building Committee appointed by a Church Conference in May 2005 has been busy at work planning the renovations and new facilities.

This site will include information about the Legacy Campaign, Building updates, and frequently asked questions.

Legacy Campaign

Frequently Asked Questions
Contacts

Legacy Campaign

Belmonters were asked to prayerfully consider three year gifts above and beyond their operating budget commitments to support the efforts to renovate our existing facilities (including ways to enhance accessibility to our building for all persons), add a new multipurpose community center to our campus, and maximize parking.

In fall 2005, a series of information sessions was held to provide our church family with the information they needed to guide their decision-making. The response from our church family was amazing. To date, nearly $3,000,000 has been pledged in support of the building efforts. Click to see pictures from the Legacy Dinner and Celebration Sunday, held in fall 2005.

With rising construction costs, it is anticipated that every dollar will be important to the effort, so new members and those who have not had the opportunity to pledge are invited to pledge their support or provide a gift of any size. If you would like to inform the church of your intention to support the Legacy Campaign, you can click here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers
The what, when, why's, and how related to Belmont 's Legacy Campaign

What are our plans?
How much will this cost?
How will we pay for it?
How can I learn more about the specifics of our plans?
Why are these projects important for us now?
How do these plans advance the ministry of Jesus Christ?
How will our renovated and new facilities help us serve our community better?

What are our plans?

·         Renovate our existing facility by updating electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems, adding fire sprinklers, and modernizing existing classrooms and restrooms

·         Add an elevator to increase accessibility to all areas of our church building

·         Build a multipurpose Community Center with a full size basketball court, kitchen, and dining space for 400 persons

·         Increase parking by maximizing the use of our property and on-street spaces

·         Identify a new location for Homeplace to support that vital ministry

·         Establish a ministry with the people of Malawi , Africa

·         Expand our ministry in the Edgehill area through the Belmont-Edgehill partnership by reaching out to youth residing in the Edgehill neighborhood

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How much will this cost?

The initial estimates were in the range of $5.5 million. Now, the building Team is working with our architect (Gilbert /McLaughlin Group) and construction manager (American Constructors) to fine-tune all aspects of the designs to ensure that we get the most for our investment. This work was endorsed during the Belmont Church Conference attended by approximately 250 church members.

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How will we pay for it?

Belmonters are called upon to contribute and pledge financial resources over the next three years for underwriting this work. Your contributions and pledges will be in addition to offerings that support the operating budget and missions of the church. In addition, Belmont 's Trust Fund Board has pledged to service a long-term loan if needed, providing 100% of the payments for a loan to support the effort.

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How can I learn more about the specifics of our plans?

Architectural design drawings and schematic plans have been endorsed by the Building Committee and are now available for your review. The drawings can be seen here. 

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Why are these projects important for us now?
We are called by God to share the reconciling and transforming love we have and invite others into relationship with Christ. This mission is the foundation to who we are as believers and flows through all that we do. Our church has again arrived at an historic moment, just as when Belmont was founded in 1910. Our Belmont-Hillsboro neighborhood is experiencing growth and revitalization; filling with people of all ages from around the world. Our church attracts worshipers and newcomers not only from the neighborhood, but from across the greater Nashville area. We are experiencing that growth every week. Over the last 10 years, more than half of our Sunday worshipers have become a part of our congregation. Each Sunday this year, 20% of our worshipers are newcomers, visitors or non-members. Updated facilities could better serve this new population. An additional elevator would allow easy access to learning and program opportunities for everyone. More classrooms can enable more variety and choice in a growing Sunday School. A community center would provide twice the space for congregational meals and hosting community events, and be a living ministry for neighbors who are not yet part of Belmont . The time is now!

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How do these plans advance the ministry of Jesus Christ?
Our church exists because of God's grace welcoming others into new life and service to God's world. As a part of Gods global Church, Belmont United Methodist becomes a way of inviting all persons into the redeeming fellowship of Christ. Our building serves to bring people together in relationship with God for worship, witness, sharing, spiritual formation, and training for ministry in the world. Through our life with Christ God seeks to bring human beings together in faith and love creating communities through which God mediates grace. Updating and adding to our facilities is a part of being this kind of faith community. Updated and new facilities will help us better serve the growing congregation we already have and attract new individuals and families into their own ministries. The ministry of Jesus Christ is to bring human beings together in relationships of faith and love.

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How will our renovated and new facilities help us serve our community better?
Our church is regarded by many in our community as the center of spiritual and civic life in our community. Our facilities are open more than 100 hours per week to host gatherings of people for spiritual nurture, Christian learning, self-help support, English language instruction for international newcomers, and civic improvement. We are home for many community groups and non-profit organizations, and we host many community events for good causes. A larger dining space and increased numbers of flexible rooms for classes, meetings, and conferences will help us be the kind of neighbor we want to be. Building on the Legacy will enable and welcome others into the renewal of life and service to Gods world.

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Contacts

Feel free to contact any of the following individuals if you have questions about the Building on the Legacy effort by clicking on their names.

Hayne Hamilton, Building Committee Chair

Susan and Jim Bradford, Building on the Legacy Campaign Co-Chairs

Marianne Schneider, Church Business Administrator

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