Social Hall / Kitchen Project Information

Update: Steering Team Meeting, February 21, 2023

The Arcus Group gave an overview of their Matterport 3D scan of interior spaces of the church, from the lower (Social Hall) level to the Sanctuary level. This virtual site tour will be helpful with discussion, visual documentation, and planning. They also shared feedback from recent meetings with six smaller focus groups of LCC members most familiar with the uses – and possible future uses – of the kitchen and Social Hall.

From all of the information gathered thus far through meetings, surveys, and interviews, The Arcus Group will now begin working on Preliminary Concept Design where they will compile a range of conceptual ideas and options to consider as we begin to move forward.  Current Ohio Building Code requirements will need to be factored into design, especially with regard to preschool program building requirements, potential asbestos abatement, kitchen exhaust systems, electrical/mechanical standards, etc.

Photos taken after last renovation in 1954. Tap or click on photos to view.

Update: February 12, 2023

In worship on January 8th, Pastor Joanna shared that 2023 is the year that we are going to talk seriously and purposefully about renovating our social hall and kitchen. Since the last renovation of those spaces in 1954, LCC has held or hosted dozens of musicals, many talent shows, Boar’s Head festivals, pageants, community meals, Y-Haven performances, cookie decorating & pumpkin carving activities, fundraisers, AA meetings, labyrinth walks, band rehearsals, Haynes Nursery School “gym times,” and so many more joyful gatherings. After nearly seven decades of heavy use, it’s time for an update.

As announced at the February 5th Annual Congregational Meeting, LCC is partnering with The Arcus Group architectural firm to begin this project. The Arcus Group is currently meeting with small groups to do some visioning and information gathering to supplement the results of the Social Hall / Kitchen survey that was done in early 2022. This Preliminary Concept phase is being sponsored by Peter and Cathy Kuhn, a decision made prior to Peter’s passing. We cannot thank them enough for supporting this project.

“The sooner we get started, the longer we’ve got.” – Peter Kuhn, quoting his father Richard when speaking to Pastor Joanna about sponsoring the preliminary concept phase

On behalf of the Project Steering Team*, Scott Richardson also presented the following tentative project timeline at the Congregational Meeting:

• • February-May 2023: Preliminary Concept Design
  • June-August 2023: Design Refinement & Development
  • September-November 2023: Construction Documentation & Engineering
  • September 2023: Capital Campaign Begins
  • December 2023-January 2024: Bidding & Permitting
  • February-August 2024: Construction
  • September 2024 (Rally Day Sunday): Celebration & Ribbon-Cutting

*Project Steering Team members: Michael Fleenor, Kim Katzenberger, Patti Komperda, Valerie Mechenbier, Vicki Smigelski, Scott Richardson, John Bando, Eric Tuck-Macalla, and Cathy Kuhn.

As we move forward together on this project, we are mindful that renovating the Social Hall and Kitchen is as much about creating space to live into our mission, vision and values – and serving the community – as it is about updating systems, lighting, and finishes. Michael Anthony Howard, Minister of Faith in Action for the Living Water Association (UCC) writes:

Our sacred buildings are places where the Dream of God unfolds, where we learn what love looks like in public, where God’s shalom becomes a tangible reality. They provide the landscape that is the scenery of our spiritual lives. They create the context for building communities of liberative practice, where we weave our lives into fabrics of care in beloved communion with God and with the world around us. — Michael Howard, “The Prophetic Witness of Place”, 1/12/23.