Locations
Downtown Kalamazoo & Mattawan
Downtown
Our downtown location features a beautiful sanctuary for worship, a gathering space for after church coffee, church offices, classrooms, a kitchen and fellowship hall for large gatherings, and more. We’re located at 321 W. South Street, in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, just across South Street from Bronson Park. Our parking lot is located behind the church, on Lovell Street. There is also parking along South Street – free on Sundays and after 6 p.m. There are entrances on both sides of the building.
Pine Island Chapel
In 2020 the Session approved proceeding with the construction of a building on the property that Pine Island Presbyterian members brought with them when our congregations merged in 2019.
Fund have been raised to cover the construction costs and related costs for the building. There will be no loans taken out to cover the construction of the building, as the Session has stipulated.
Frequently asked questions
Why is First Presbyterian Church seeking to build a chapel on the former Pine Island Church property on Q Avenue?
The desire to build on the property arose naturally after services began to take place on the property during the summer of 2020 when the congregation could not meet indoors due to COVID-19 restrictions on gathering.
Members of the congregation began to ask whether a chapel could be built on the property that would emphasize the natural setting and give the church another place to gather. A building on the property has long been a dream of those who had been members of the Pine Island Congregation.
How much is it going to cost?
What began as an estimated $250,000 to $280,000 project is now estimated to cost around $580,000. Though we once believed we had received more than enough for the project we now have a $100,000 to $125,000 gap, according to current estimates. To maintain the building an endowment fund has been established thanks to Laurie Tupper.
Are there matching funds available?
A donor who is as committed as we are to the construction of a chapel at our Pine Island Campus has offered a matching grant opportunity. The donor, John Woollam, who has already contributed a significant amount to the project has offered $20,000 in matching money to help continue the momentum in the donations for the construction project. Session members voted Jan. 15 to approve an additional fund-raising campaign to support the building of the Pine Island Chapel in order to secure matching funds for the first $20,000 raised.
How can I contribute?
You can contribute as you would for any other donation as long as it is clearly marked for the Pine Island Chapel Project.
What will the chapel be used for?
Gathering, worship and community meetings are among the uses we have arrived at. The church also be seeking input from the congregation on uses they can envision on the property.
Pastor Seth Weeldreyer is happy to chat about this project: sethw@fpckzoo.org
