Opening Ourselves 
to the Fullness of 
God’s Calling

Dear Members and Friends of Christ Church,

As the oldest Episcopal congregation in Arkansas, Christ Church has been a faithful presence in downtown Little Rock since 1839. Generations before ours took excellent care of the church, tending to souls and buildings alike. Now it’s our turn to care for this place in meaningful ways for the generations who will come after us. Our good stewardship of our property today will ensure a strong future for our congregation as well as for our downtown community. 

Architecture reflects theology. The open red doors of our church building are a visible symbol of the radical hospitality within. And we trust that everyone who comes through our doors shows us something unique about God’s love. Every part of our campus should signal to our neighbors that we are an open and accepting congregation. But currently the entrances to the parish house and its surroundings don’t send that message.

After careful study and community-wide discernment, we have developed an exciting vision for the parish house and our outdoor space that will better reflect our mission and support our ministries. Opening the façade to the parish house and renovating the interior will make Christ Church more inviting to our friends and neighbors and create a beautiful environment for us to share with our downtown neighborhood.

Your ideas for transforming Christ Church have now come together to form the plans inside this brochure that respect and revitalize the historical nature of the property and build for its future. Of course, our collective plans can only come to life if we come together to give generously to this once-in-a-generation project. Our founders had a big vision when they established Christ Church. Today we invite you to give generously to open this place up to an exciting, faithful future.

The Rev. Dr. Kate Alexander
Rector

Rush Deacon
Co-Chair

Debbie Deacon
Co-Chair

O God, creator of every good and holy thing, you have revealed your glory in the life of Christ Church. Come among us who now work to preserve and enrich this beacon of beauty, safety, and love. Unite and guide us in our efforts, that we might show forth the light of Christ to our community for years to come; through the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Open up, you gates! Open up, you ancient doors! That the King of Glory may come in! The Lord of hosts who rules over all creation.

Based on Psalm 24:7-10

God calls us to open ourselves to make room for God’s presence and the new thing that God is doing among us. To see the “new” thing, scripture often calls us to look back and bring forward the meaningful parts of our stories of faith that deepen our connections to generations past and point the way to the future.

As we contemplate the possibilities for a vibrant future here in downtown Little Rock, the city itself is looking back to its historic roots and taking a cue from its original plan to be a “City in a Park.” This resonates deeply with the direction we see God revealing in our own plans for a more open and inviting reimagining of our buildings and grounds.

When we made the choice to remain downtown where we had been planted as a congregation, we believed we were listening to God’s promise that those who are rooted in God’s word will thrive, “like the tree planted by the water.” And so we have remained, through seasons of growth and change to today.

Now is our moment to open ourselves to the fullness of God’s calling: to open outwardly and inwardly to let God move in our midst. It’s our moment to expand our relationship to our downtown community and deepen our connections with one another. Like the tree in full bloom, we are ready to share the fruits of our spiritual life freely and openly.

With projects that quite literally open sight lines, free up pathways, and seamlessly integrate green spaces with ease of access, we are also opening sight lines into the past and future of our ministry. In this, we are heeding God’s invitation to allow God’s glory in and to invite our neighbors to share with us in God’s promise of thriving where we are planted.

Opening Within —

$1,296,782

As a deep breath opens and freshens us within, the projects we’re undertaking in our parish hall spaces will expand, enhance, and ease the flow of our congregational life. Helping us move more freely and inspiring us with renewed energy for worship, work, and service, each project is a way of opening ourselves from within.

From the bright new gathering spaces and updated kitchen in the parish hall to the generous restroom facilities to refreshed and light-filled office and classroom spaces; throughout the hallways and passages (and even the elevator) that carry us from worship to work to fellowship, our capital improvements will bring new energy and opportunity for connection at every turn.

A once dark and narrow hallway will be opened by resituating the stairway. Windows and openings to Crease Close will lighten and freshen our perspectives throughout the building. New HVAC and mechanical systems will increase air quality and extend the usefulness of our infrastructure well into the future. Taken together, our internal improvements will enhance every aspect of being in and moving through our spaces—like a breath of fresh air.

Opening Outward —

$1,062,800

As we seek to be good neighbors in our downtown location, our exterior projects will open us literally and figuratively to our surroundings, so that passersby, visitors, and members alike will feel our spirit of welcome.

By removing the 1980s addition that currently blocks the original parish hall from the west and reconfiguring the parish hall entrance to the parking lot, we’ll allow our buildings to “breathe” more easily as well. The beautiful original facade of the parish hall will once again be a visible sign of our presence to our neighbors. In place of the old addition, a green space with trees, plants, and grass will bring a welcoming, park-like atmosphere to our surroundings. On the parking lot side, a new indoor-outdoor gathering space will expand our ability to gather and welcome others more freely and openly.

Making It All Happen —

$1,238,638

Bringing all of these changes to life requires thoughtful, professional planning, management, and implementation. From visionary architects to construction and engineering teams, from communications, fund-raising, and legal and financial oversight to addressing the practicalities of zoning and feasibility assessments, we are investing in the quality, durability, and lasting benefits of these capital projects now with an eye toward a long and vibrant future.

FAQs —

  • A capital campaign does not count the same as an annual pledge. Each year, Christ Episcopal Church invites members of its community to give an annual pledge to fund the mission of the congregation. These funds pay for personnel, programs, outreach ministries, and the regular upkeep of the space. These funds typically come from an individual’s regular monthly income. We are asking that Christ Church members pledge for the annual campaign this fall. 

    Pledges to the capital campaign will be used to fund specific one-time projects to the physical space. This gift is an extraordinary gift that would likely be above and beyond one’s annual gift. Individuals can give in a variety of ways and all gifts are needed for the campaign to be successful.

  • Yes! All members are invited to include Christ Episcopal Church in their estate planning. However, given that the bulk of construction expenses will be incurred in the first year, we will need liquid funds to pay these expenditures.

    The vestry is happy to receive bequests with a “requested designation” (rather than a restriction).

  • The pay-in period is four years, beginning January 2025 and ending January 2029. Pledges can be paid weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

  • We would like to pay as many of the expenses on the front end of the capital improvements. If you are contemplating a gift schedule longer than four years, please speak with us first.

  • We know that life happens and we care about you. If something happens and you can’t fulfill your pledge over the next four years, please let the clergy know. We can make adjustments accordingly.