SOUTH CHURCH in ANDOVER
Andover, Massachusetts  

Statement of Needs

On October 17, 1711, thirty-five individuals and the Rev. Samuel Phillips began the congregation at South Church in Andover.  Two years earlier the Great and General Court in Boston had determined to split the village of Andover into north and south and established the South Parish to meet the needs of the settlers moving into the far reaches of the village of Andover. 

The first South Meeting House was built near the corner of School and Central Streets and the site of the present church.  As the parish grew, a larger meeting house was built on the same site in 1733 and then a third in 1788.  Early in 1860, the congregation voted to build a new meeting house—the fourth on the site.  Designed by architect John Stevens, a popular architect whose buildings were characterized by unusual steeple design, the South Church steeple towered 160 feet over the village and has stood as a spiritual beacon and watchtower to the community it serves.  The church is included in the Register of Historic Places in recognition of its architecture, the 18^th Century site and the important role it played in the early events and history of the community. 

In 1956, a four level addition was attached to the 1860 structure, primarily to accommodate the 150 Sunday school students and to provide the first church administrative office and pastor’s study.  Although plans have been discussed to increase the space for classrooms, meeting rooms and offices since 1985, there has been no additional construction since 1956. 

Rev. Cal Mutti became senior pastor in 1989.  In the past 13 years, our church has experienced dramatic growth in the Christian Education program and an equally substantial increase in the number of church activities and organizations using our facilities.  Our vibrant congregational activities include our expanding youth program (nursery to high school), three choirs, Adult Bible Study, Men’s and Women’s Fellowship, Inquirers Class, Board and Committee Meetings.  Our congregation is involved in many community outreach programs, including Habitat for Humanity, ABC, Neighbors in Need, and Lazarus House.  As we have expanded our mission to the larger community, we also have opened our doors to outside organizations, such as scouts, community theatre, preschool programs, job search groups, and support groups such as AA and parents of developmentally challenged children.

Today, our church includes 750 members (350 giving units) and over 350 registered students.  With the addition of an elevator in 1990 to address state requirements for improved access and other facility modifications, we have actually reduced our available space while our Sunday school enrollment has more than doubled.  Today we have only four dedicated classrooms and make use of temporary partitioned space in Fellowship hall, music rooms, parlor, south vestry and hallways to accommodate our growing program participation.  To support our congregation, we have nine staff, mostly part time, requiring working space.  Currently only two of our nine staff has adequate office room.

At the January 2001 Annual Meeting it was recognized that South Church needs more space to adequately support our congregational mission to provide programs for our children, our adults and for others in need.  Following the 2001 Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees held three open congregational meetings and distributed a survey form to discuss space needs and solicit input. 

In April 2001, the Space Odyssey Building Committee was formed to address the church space requirements.  Utilizing all the participation and input gained from the congregation and staff, the Building Committee developed the priorities for a new building to be situated on the North lawn, on the corner of Central and School Streets.

After much prayer, discussion and planning, South Church hopes to embark on a capital campaign to develop the necessary space and make some key improvements to our existing buildings.  The preliminary concept and cost estimates include:

Parish Center (12,000 s.f.)                                        Cost $ 2.2 million

• 10 classrooms (K-8, youth lounge and adult education)

• 1 Multi-purpose room for all church use

• Small Chapel to seat 50 for meditation, small funerals & weddings

• 2 Offices (Director of CE, Director of Youth Ministries)

• Storage space for supplies and historic records

• Efficiency kitchen

• Bathrooms with showers

• Add 30 parking spaces

• Outdoor meditation garden

The Committee is currently reviewing architectural designs to incorporate our needs and maintain architectural integrity with the existing buildings.

RENOVATIONS                                                                   Cost $ $200,000

• Enlarge existing office/administration area to create parlor/library

• Create 3 office/meeting rooms from 2^nd floor classroom

• Convert 3^rd floor for music program

• Re-roof existing buildings

BUILDING ENDOWMENT                                                          Cost $200,000

To help maintain the new construction on an annual basis an endowment component of the campaign has been proposed.

MISSION COMPONENT                                                          Cost $ 400,000

To further our missions in the greater community, a mission component of the campaign has been proposed.

The total cost of the renovations, improvements, building endowment and missions component is estimated to be $ 3 million.

Like our predecessors who generously gave of their time and money for the future of our Church, we believe that our time has now come to build a foundation for the next 50 years. 

• Our time has come to make a commitment for future generations in the Merrimack Valley,

• Our time has come to inspire many more generations of families,

• Our time has come to reach out and provide a connection to Christ for so many in need. 

SOUTH CHURCH MISSION & VISION

South Church Mission

By the grace of God it has been and continues to be the mission of South Church in Andover to be a strong, vibrant, joyful family of faith with core values centered in the life and teaching of Jesus Christ. The spiritual momentum of our congregation holds in balanced tension the ministries of outreach and mission, worship and spirituality, fellowship and caring, education and nurture.

We are united but not uniform, proclaiming the truth of the gospel and the peace of the church, generous within boundaries, innovative and traditional, inviting and welcoming, diverse and cohesive.  Like a harbor we welcome the wounded and spiritually seeking soul, and launch forth into the world disciples who are enthused and energized by the Holy Spirit.  We rely finally on God to empower and guide our ministry as a Christian Congregation.

"Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain, if it is in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15: 58)

Vision

Many within our South Church community have a vision for greater mission and outreach within our own church, and to the local communities in desperate need of support.  While some of that support can be provided by money, much more can be done with programs for children, for our senior citizens, and for others in need.  In a time of great challenge to our youth, several parents have visions of programs throughout the week for our children to help guide them in our safe and comforting environment. 

As the local communities and the Commonwealth in general face uncertain economic times, our expanding population of senior citizens finds it increasingly difficult to find places to gather.  A growing contingent at South Church believes we have a tremendous opportunity and in fact, an obligation to reach out and provide supportive means for this critical, and often neglected segment.

While most in our Church neither envision nor desire for South Church to become a “mega-church,” and lose the close-knit spirit and bonds of fellowship, most people do believe that some growth is vital to the continued vibrancy of our mission and congregation.  As we are faithful to Christ’s commandment to “go into all the world and share the good news of the gospel,” the growth of our community has come and presented us with challenges.

• Growth that reaches out and touches others with the spirit of Christ, 

• Growth that enables more people to experience the beacon of light in dark times that our church has provided for so many of us,

• Growth that allows us to care for and care about our senior citizens,

• Growth that provides a Christian, nurturing center for the spiritual development of children, youth and adults.