For Generations to Come: A Capital Campaign

Investing in Our Church’s Future

For nearly 300 years, our church has been a beacon of faith, fellowship, and community in Cranbury. It has stood as a place where neighbors become friends, where milestones are celebrated, and where we find strength in times of challenge. 

To ensure that our church continues to thrive for generations to come, we are embarking on a capital campaign to raise between $850,000 and $1 million. This campaign will allow us to honor our history while making essential improvements that will benefit both our congregation and the wider community.

Our Goals

Enhancing Our Worship Space

Worship is the heart of our church, bringing us together in faith and connection. We seek to preserve the beauty of our sanctuary while improving its functionality to create a more inspiring and accessible experience for all.

  • Modernize sanctuary technology with updated audio/visual equipment
  • Redesign underutilized areas to enhance worship preparation and collaboration
  • Improve sanctuary comfort and accessibility for all attendees

Expanding Fellowship and Outreach

Our church is more than a place of worship; it is a hub for community, support, and service. By improving our gathering spaces, we can further our mission of welcoming and serving others.

  • Create a centralized pantry to support hospitality and service initiatives
  • Upgrade Fellowship Hall, library, and kitchen for greater functionality
  • Implement visitor-friendly enhancements to ensure a warm, welcoming environment

Strengthening Our Foundation

As faithful stewards of our historic church, we must ensure that it remains strong, safe, and sustainable for future generations. Investing in key infrastructure projects will protect and preserve our church for years to come.

  • Upgrade air conditioning, heating, and electrical systems for efficiency and comfort
  • Restore basement meeting rooms damaged by water, creating safe and usable spaces
  • Enhance security and technological capabilities to keep our church safe and welcoming
  • Protect and preserve the building’s exterior to maintain its historical integrity

Our Gift Back to God

As part of our commitment to generosity, we will tithe 10% of the funds raised, after covering fundraising costs, to support mission work beyond our church walls. This ensures that our campaign not only strengthens our congregation but also reaches those in need.

How to Pledge

Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a vital role in shaping the future of our church. You can make a one-time donation or set up a recurring gift to support our campaign.

  • Online: Visit onrealm.org/cranburypres/-/form/give/now to make a secure donation.
  • By Mail: Send a check payable to First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury with “Capital Campaign” in the memo line.
  • In Person: Speak with Pastor Hannah, Ken Gordon, Matt Curran, or Matt Ferguson, or visit the office to arrange your pledge.

Every gift is a step toward securing a thriving future for our church and community. Thank you for your generosity and commitment!

FAQ’s

1. Our church has the privilege of an endowment. Is this available for the completion of the projects listed for the campaign?

The endowment is a vital legacy gift from previous generations, designed to sustain the church’s mission. Over more recent decades, as we have worked to grow our church community, the amount we receive from tithing and other avenues has not kept pace with growth in our operating expenses. We now depend on the endowment to meet ongoing needs of the church. 

Drawing on these funds in lieu of a capital campaign would impair the endowment’s capacity to support the church at the same level we have benefited from today. To ensure future generations of our congregation have an equal opportunity to benefit from this legacy, our generation must do its best to spend only its “fair share” of the endowment, or to replace any excess amounts that have been distributed.

2. What is the overall financial position of the church at this time?

The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury is in a good financial position, thanks to prudent stewardship and a well-managed endowment. However, addressing the significant and necessary capital improvements outlined in this campaign exceeds our operating budget’s capacity and the endowment’s sustainable spending rate. This is why we are seeking additional support from our congregation and community to fund these vital projects.

3. Will a church with revived infrastructure and updates help the congregation grow?

Absolutely. Updated infrastructure sends a clear message to current and prospective members that we are a thriving and forward-thinking congregation. 

Modernizing our facilities will create more functional and inviting spaces for worship, fellowship, and community engagement. A revitalized church can better meet the needs of all generations, attracting new families, supporting youth programs, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging for everyone. Enhancements like improved technology and accessibility will also enable us to broaden our reach, particularly through hybrid worship and community events, ensuring we remain a beacon of faith and service.

4. What other methods are already in place to help grow the congregation?

In addition to this campaign, we are actively working to build energy, engagement, and discipleship through more dynamic worship services, community outreach initiatives, and our ever-growing youth and family programs. Over recent years, we have started and expanded our “God and Me” program as outreach to young families and experienced a high success rate. We have elevated and broadened our youth group programs, brought in guest speakers, and held community events with impressive attendance. 

We are also leveraging online platforms to expand our reach, making worship and fellowship accessible to those unable to attend in person.

5. Why do we need to make these changes now?

Our church is at a tipping point. Deferred maintenance and outdated facilities could hinder our ability to serve effectively. By acting now, we can address urgent needs, reduce future repair costs, and position ourselves for sustained growth as we approach our milestone 300th anniversary.

Additionally, making these updates positions our church to grow by creating an inviting and functional environment that supports vibrant worship, dynamic programming, and greater community engagement. Timely action ensures that we remain a thriving and welcoming place for generations to come.

6. What will the project cost and how will it be financed?

The total project cost is projected to be about $850,000, which includes updates to worship spaces ($150,000), fellowship and outreach areas ($150,000), and critical infrastructure repairs ($550,000). We aim to fund this through pledges, donations, and additional campaign efforts, ensuring no undue burden on our operating budget or endowment

7. How is our church building being used by the community?

Our church serves as a hub for the Cranbury community, hosting groups such as the Boy Scouts, recovery programs, and local clubs. It houses service projects such as Helene’s Closet and Skeet’s Pantry, and can serve as an emergency shelter during crises. By maintaining and improving our facilities, we can continue to be a trusted gathering place for all in our community.

8. Why don’t our current facilities adequately accommodate our programs, meetings, mission, worship, and education opportunities?

Our facilities, while rich in history, have not kept pace with the evolving needs of our congregation and community. The sanctuary lacks modern audio-visual capabilities, limiting our ability to offer hybrid worship services that engage both in-person and online participants. Accessibility challenges make it difficult for all members of our community to participate fully in our activities. Upgrading these spaces will ensure we have the tools and infrastructure necessary to support vibrant worship, effective ministry, and meaningful community engagement for years to come.

9. How will this campaign support missions beyond our church?

To reflect our values of service and generosity, 10% of the funds raised, after campaign costs, will be given to support missions that make a difference in the wider community. By giving back, we ensure this campaign isn’t just about strengthening our own space but also about extending our church’s mission of care, education, and faith into the world.

Here are a few potential recipients of this outreach:

  • Camp Johnsonburg: A Christian camp and retreat center that provides faith-building experiences for children and families, offering programs focused on spiritual growth, leadership, and community.
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Relief Fund: Provides emergency aid and long-term recovery support in communities affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
  • Presbyterian Scholarships for Undergraduates: Offers financial assistance to students pursuing higher education, helping them grow in faith while preparing for leadership and service.
10. How can I pledge a gift to the campaign?

There are several convenient ways to make your pledge or contribution to the For Generations to Come campaign:

  • By Check: Make checks payable to The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury. Checks can be placed in the offering plate during worship or mailed to:
    22 South Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512.

  • Gifts of Securities: Gifts of securities are gratefully accepted. For more information, please contact us at capitalcampaign@cranburypres.org or call the church office at (609) 395-0897.