The Foyer Creation Project
Creating a New Foyer (Lobby) in our Old Building
Frequently Asked Questions
For a full preview of the vision Behind this Project watch this video below.
1. What is this project all about?
This project is focused on building out a new foyer area adjacent to our sanctuary. Currently, we have no common open space in the building in which to allow people to easily and safely gather and linger. Additionally, we have no space to conduct classes, banquets, or meetings over 30 people. This space will allow for meetings/gatherings of 80+ persons.
The project will involve the demolition of existing walls, creating new structural supports, adding new HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, as well as a permanent new banquet seating area, while also creating two new ADA family restrooms and a large storage closet just off the new common space for the storage of tables and chairs needed for large events.
Bottomline, this new space will create a welcoming and non-claustrophobic space for fellowship and connection with new visitors and congregants alike before and after the Sunday worship, as well as the space we need throughout the week for a variety of other functions and outreach events. This project is essential not just for now but for growth in the decades to come.
2. What will it cost, AND HOW WILL WE PAY?
For over a year now we have been working with a highly experienced Architects to create the design for the building. Fortunately for us he is offering his services pro-bono. Then we’ve received multiple bids from General Contractors to refine and prioritize the scope and cost of the project. The estimated construction costs to complete this project as it is currently designed will cost approximately $961,000 (after tax).
After becoming established in the city, Sideris has been financially strong largely due to our congregational generosity and the core discipline of saving. Each month, we set aside a little more in our “Opportunity Fund” and over time, that has added up. In the past — especially recently, once moving into this building in Summer 2024 — we’ve used this to fund the following big one-off projects:
Kid’s Classrooms Remodeled
Four Bathrooms Remodeled
New Sanctuary Chairs + Paint Refresh
Exterior Projects (trim painting & new awning)
Tower Entry Refreshed
New Windows in classrooms and offices
New Stage Lighting
New Sound System
After these many investments in our future, the Opportunity Fund currently sits at $511,000. So based on the current projections for the cost, if we utilize the remaining Opportunity Fund, we will still need to raise the difference of $450,000 in order to complete the project at its current scope.
3. A goal of $450k seems like a lot. Is it realistic?
In examining the metrics that take into account our current giving and the size of our congregation, this goal is within reach for our community. While we believe we can reach this goal by pulling together for a time like this, we will also be reaching out to external donors of the past to see if they can join us in this project. Many of you may also want to pass along this opportunity to family and friends who might relish the opportunity to tangibly reinforce the church in a city like Seattle.
Here is a hypothetical breakdown of the number of givers and amounts we’d need to reach our goal.
Gift Amount x # of Givers = Aggregate
$30,000 2 $60,000
$20,000 3 $60,000
$15,000 4 $60,000
$10,000 5 $50,000
$7,000 7 $49,000
$5,000 10 $50,000
$3,000 15 $45,000
$1,500 25 $37,500
$1,000 45 $45,000
116 $456,500
While these numbers are totally hypothetical and anyone could give more or less that the amounts on this list, we hope that in seeing these numbers laid out and aggregated you can see how accomplishing this goal is definitely possible if we join together toward this target.
4. Do we REALLY need a Foyer (LobbY) space?
It is reasonable to think: “Things are going so well! God is moving in our midst, and more and more people are coming to learn about what he has done through Jesus. Let’s not rock the boat.”
In essence, this new multi-purpose space doesn’t just give us the ability to do new things, but also gives us the required space to do the things we do well even better.
We do connection with newcomers so well, but now we will be able to do it so much better and with more people than before.
We do conversation with each other so well, but the new space will foster more spaces and additional opportunities for great conversations.
We do consideration so well, but the new space will provide space for consideration of Jesus to flourish, not just for those in our church, but those who are outside too.
We have always been about connection, conversation, and consideration as a community and we believe that if we create additional spaces to allow MORE people to engage them even MORE frequently with MORE intention, we will continue to see God reveal Jesus to us and those in our city who need to know him and are desperately searching.
5. How will the New Space be used during the week?
The foyer/lounge will be a multi-purpose space. Here are just a few of the fun ideas we’ve had so far, but we envision it being available for all sorts of things.
Women’s and Men’s Ministry Events
Consider Project Events: Alpha, Open Forums, Guest Speakers, Outreach programs
Live intimate music/art events where the size and vibe of the sanctuary are not best
“Work from Sideris Wednesdays” for remote workers to use as a co-working space
Sideris classes and leadership meetings
Hosting fundraising events for other partner non-profits
City-wide collaboration events with other churches or ministries
Wedding and Funeral receptions
Affordable options for kids’ birthday parties
Hosting “Community Dinners” for Unhoused Neighbors
6. How did the church come to this DECISION?
Having moved to Ballard in the Summer of 2024, we immediately felt a need for a foyer-type space. This was a central component in our last building, and while we have “made do” for the past year, since we first started considering this move to Ballard, the Senior Leadership Team (Elders & Deacons) collectively discerned that a change like this would be essential.
During the course of the last year, we’ve spoken about this project at every SLT meeting and continue to be convinced — and even more now after a year in our building — that these structural changes are vital to the continued flourishing and growth of our community and its impact.
Over the course of the 8 weeks leading up to pledge Sunday, the SLT and others will be sharing on Sunday mornings about why they are so convinced that this project is needed and why they are excited to bring it to completion.
If at any point you want to talk with a member of the SLT, don’t hesitate to reach out to them to hear their perspective.
David Evanger - dave@siderischurch.com
Ryan Farrell - ryan@siderischurch.com
Joseph Cox - jsephcx@gmail.com
Kate Spencer - kate.spencer2@gmail.com
Joshua Patterson - thejoshuapater@gmail.com
Amanda Campbell - campbell.amanda.f@gmail.com
Andrew Barfoot - barfootaj@gmail.com
7. Who all is overseeing this project?
In addition to the SLT oversight, a dedicated “Foyer Project Team” has been formed, which includes members of the church leadership and those with specific experience and gifts from the congregation. We all have been working with a highly experienced licensed architect and well-referenced contractors to ensure the project is handled with transparency, stewardship, excellence and care.
We have also been gifted the advisory support of a retired church architect named Larry who is working pro-bono and is acting as a design consultant and Owner’s Rep. This is an amazing gift and is saving us tens of thousands of dollars on the project… so if you ever meet Larry be sure to thank him!
8. What has been and will be the process/timeline for this project?
Summer 2024 - We engaged an architect to begin dreaming of where a foyer would work best in our building and what it would look like.
Fall 2024 - We hired an engineering firm to begin feasibility studies on the structural engineering of our building.
Early 2025 - We worked with our architects to hone in on the best design (our final product is completely different than our first attempt, we think, for the better!)
Spring 2025 - We had three GCs (general contractors) review our plans, explore the building with their subcontractors and submit estimates on what they thought the project would cost.
Summer 2025 - Reviewed and revised construction bids with the GCs to lower cost as much as possible within current scope of the project.
September 2025 - Selected contractor based on best price and best fit for project.
October 2025 - Submitted for permit with city of Seattle (this could be a 3-5 month process).
November 16, 2025 - Pledge Sunday, to determine fnncail feasibility of project. We will reassess our financial needs after receiving these pledges.
Winter 2026 - Begin construction (5-month estimated construction to completion)
Summer 2026 - Grand Opening
9. What if we are unable to raise the goal of $450k?
In examining the metrics that take into account our current giving and the size of our congregation, meeting this goal over the course of a year is within reach for our community. This being said, if we do not meet our goal, we are resolved to create this space regardless. If necessary, we will either:
Begin fundraising from external supporters (individuals & churches)
Narrow the scope of the project
Borrow from our maintenance/operational reserves to fill the gap (only if the gap is small enough)
Seek bridge financing from our bank (only if absolutely necessary)
[or use a combination of these approaches to fill the gap]
10. How long will the fundraising effortS last?
We will be inviting people to pray about their financial participation up until Pledge Sunday on November 16th. For those compelled, we will ask you to share the amount — over and above your regular giving — that you plan to contribute to this building project in one or both of the following ways:
One-time donations (to be made in either of both 2025 or 2026)
Monthly pledge (to be made as a monthly gift over your regular tithe, in intervals and length of your choosing)
While we’d love to have certainingt as to the end of the fundraising efforts, we know that we may still need to keep it open as we move into the next phases of the project. Luckily, we will not need to pay upfront, so the bills will come due as the construction is being completed. This gives us time to continue fundraising efforts should we need to.
11. Is a designated giving campaign Biblical?
Our church is primarily comprised of individuals for whom Sideris represents their first church experience of their adult life, and this being our first ever fundraising effort, they find themselves in their first ever directed fundraising initiative like this. How are we to think of it under the broader subject of giving?
Over the course of the scriptures, we discover that at particular times for particular missional endeavors, God’s people were encouraged to contribute financially over and above their normal tithes (10%) and alms (anything given to relieve the poor), these were called offerings.
These special offerings were received in order to fund certain projects, initiatives, or efforts the mission of God required in a particular context. For instance, Moses took a special offering in order to fund the tabernacle building project (Exodus 35:20-29) and in New Testament times Paul received special offerings from churches for the advancement of his ministry (Philippians 4:10-23) as well as a widespread fundraising effort he made for the church of Jerusalem as they endured a famine in the land (1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15; Romans 15:14-32).
Leaning into this category of an offering underscores how we sense God calling us to a communal missional endeavor that will require all of us to be complete. It’s exciting to partner together in this way, and we hope that all experience the joy of reaching out and actualizing His plan alongside one another.
12. How can I respond?
First, take some time to pray and ask God how he wants you to be a part of the creation of this space. What’s your part? What might he be asking you to sacrifice in order to contribute?
Second, complete a pledge card and bring it with you to church on Sunday, November 16th. If you know you won’t be at church on the 16th, feel free to bring it early.
Third, go to the “give” tab in the upper right-hand corner of our website, where you can give online and set up a regular schedule to do so. Be sure to select “Foyer/Lobby Project” in the dropdown menu.
Thank you for praying, giving, and believing in the future of our church. This new space is more than just a large coffee room—it's a step toward growing into an even more welcoming, connected, and thriving church community meant to model the atmosphere of Christ to an onlooking world. We couldn’t be more grateful to partner with you in this cause!