A Model of Public Value
This architectural gem continues to serve as a vital community
resource today. In 2016 the building hosted over 300 activities above
and beyond the religious
activities of the congre-
gation.
Through the process the congregation identified a new core
value related to building stewardship: “We open our doors and
hearts, extending our hands to welcome neighbors and strangers…”
Added to this, there
is a daily hum of activity
The Art Deco interior of Reformation
at the church. Two pre-
schools occupy space in
the building. And a variety of community groups use space weekly
for Cub and Girl Scout troops, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Overeat-
ers Anonymous, as well as the neighborhood’s only food pantry—a
program of the church that serves 3000 households annually. The
sanctuary is regularly used for concerts and lectures.
The array of community partners sharing space in the church
are an extension of the church’s ministry to the wider D.C. commu-
nity. The congregation explicitly mentions space-sharing as a stra-
tegic ministry goal, guided by scripture: ‘"Do not neglect to show
hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained
angels without knowing it."
However, in recent years the building began to show its age. In
2007 the congregation built its capacity for major building projects
by raising money to restore ten stained glass windows over two
years. Then in 2015 the congregation invested in major roof repairs
to stop water infiltration that had caused damage to the sanctuary
ceiling as well as other areas of the building.
A Master Plan Develops
Even as the congregation raised funds to complete these fo-
cused projects, Reformation enlisted the services of MTFA Architec-
ture to guide a comprehensive master plan for the future of the
building. This process began by outlining the mission, vision, goals
and values of the congregation; included a comprehensive building
assessment of current maintenance needs; analyzed the current use
of all aspects of the property; and culminated in conceptual draw-
ings for future renovations rooted in the goals of the congregation.
Among these many
activities, the church
building is routinely
used for local, national,
and international advo-
cacy organizations as a
site for conferences,
meals, meetings, rallies,
trainings, and worship
services. For example, the
Poor People’s Campaign,
a national anti-poverty
initiative led by the Rev.
William Barber, used the
church as a rally site and
beginning point for a
march to the Capitol.
The National Fund for Sacred Places
Beginning in 2017 the congregation began planning for its
largest capital campaign in a generation. The congregation enlisted
the services of a professional capital campaign consultant. The focus
was threefold—first, to make urgent repairs and attend to deferred
maintenance; second, to fully restore the sanctuary and make minor
alterations for better accessibility; and third, to conduct renovations
in the lower level, making the space more versatile and user-friendly
for the array of community groups using it each week.
At this point, Reformation applied to the National Fund for
Sacred Places. Along with sixteen other sacred places across the
country, the congregation was invited into the National Fund in
2017.
That fall, leaders from the congregation participated in a two-
day training hosted by Partners for Sacred Places in Philadelphia. In
2018, staff from Partners and from the National Trust for Historic
Preservation made site visits to Reformation to provide direct tech-
nical assistance on reaching a wider pool of donors, including com-
munity stakeholders, and outlining the project timeline.
Recently, the National Fund approved a capital grant of
$250,000, and Reformation has raised over $750,000 to match the
grant for the initial phase of work. Guided by its core values and
principles of community service, and supported by services and
resources provided through the National Fund, work is underway to
preserve and upgrade this landmark facility to continue serving as a
venue for the common good.
SACRED PLACES • AUTUMN/WINTER 2018-19
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