By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer
The Chapel Hill Town Council could make a decision on a major expansion for The Chapel of the Cross on Monday, possibly opening the door for one of the largest renovations in the church’s more than 160-year history.
As planned, the expansion would add 29,500 square feet, doubling the space available for community outreach, education and fellowship. In addition, the project would include a 33 percent increase in the Episcopal Campus Ministry space and a new terrace and entrance facing the arboretum on the UNC campus.
The property’s main church building and chapel – which was built in 1848 – would not be affected by the renovations.
In November, representatives of the Chapel of the Cross presented the plans to the council.
“We consider our central location a gift which we are to share with others, and so we make our space available at no charge to over 60 nonprofit groups a year, including a daily pre-school, a several-day-a-week English as a Second Language program, weekly meetings of service and self-help groups from the town and from the campus and special events such as concerts and fundraising dinners,†Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams, Chapel of the Cross rector, told council members.
To fund the $6.3 million project, the church has raised money through gifts and pledges, and is now working to raise the remainder – about $400,000.
“We have gotten very favorable feedback and response,†said Ted Vaden, communications director for the church’s capital campaign, adding that church representatives had met with the town’s planning board, the Historic District Commission, the Transportation Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian boards in addition to the council.
“All four of the commissions gave it a thumb’s up,†he said.
Vaden said he had not yet heard opposition to the project.
“We tried to be very proactive in meeting with folks that might be affected,†he said. The area surrounding the church is university property, so church representatives have been in frequent communication with UNC officials, who have been supportive, Vaden said.
If approved, construction would begin in fall 2012 and is expected to take about a year.
“Besides the chapel and the main sanctuary, this would be the most significant project that we have done,†Vaden said. “It’s going to be maximizing out the space that we have, so that in the future there would not be any further expansion.â€