Parsonage Options Considered by

the Building Research Committee

at St. John’s Reformed Church

Comments will be accepted until October 1st.

• Restoring the parsonage on the existing site
• Restoring the parsonage moved to a different site on campus, near the current pre-school playground
• Purchasing a modular home to be placed near the current playground
• Purchasing a home in the Red Hook School District
• Providing the minster with a housing allowance

• This would allow us to keep the parsonage in its current location as we have known it.
• The minister is readily available and does not have to drive to the church.
• This would continue to provide future ministerial candidates with housing.
• New electrical wiring would insure circuit breakers not popping when minister’s family is using appliances.

• Work done by architect Paul Vosburgh indicates that this option would cost about $350,000, making it one of the most expensive options we have researched.
• By not moving the parsonage, we would lose land for future building.
• Keeping the parsonage where it is continues the "fish bowl" effect with little privacy for the minister and his/her family in perpetuity.
• Past ministerial searches have shown us that having a parsonage, and one so close to the church, is not seen as an advantage to a call to ministry.
• The congregation continues to have the responsibility to maintain the parsonage drawing on the Endowment Fund or making a need for special fundraising when major repairs are required.
• The minister gains no equity and has no home upon retirement or resignation.
• Pastor Ryan and his family would have to move twice if we choose this option.
• Water needs are greater than what the church needs with current well.
• Would require a capital building campaign.

• Maintains the historic home near the current preschool playground area, farther away from the church.
• Lessens the "fish bowl" effect.
• Keeps the minster and his/her family close enough to allow him/her access to family and church throughout the day or in an emergency.
• Frees up property for the church to expand in the future.
• Provides housing to ministerial candidate in a search.
• Parsonage gets new plumbing, new electrical wiring, new exterior, new heating system and A/C, new porch, extra bathroom, etc.
• Parsonage is safer and healthier for minister and his/her family.
• Provides housing for the minster (and his family) as part of the current call.
• Allows the Nace family to use their current curtains and rugs.

• This is one of the most expensive options, costing $390,000 according to Paul Vosburgh’s estimate.
• Site work/clean-up would need to be done where parsonage currently sits. (Paul Vosburgh gave us a price of upwards of $50,000 depending on Board of Health involvement with the materials in the parsonage. Tom LeGrand stated it could be done for around $25,000.)
• Some ministerial candidates would not like having to live on campus, and would prefer a housing allowance.
• The congregation continues to have the responsibility to maintain the parsonage drawing on the Endowment Fund or making a need for special fundraising when major repairs are required.
• Water needs would require the drilling of a new well (or wells) to provide sufficient water for parsonage and church needs.
• Requires laying out a new septic system.
• Does not address some of the deficiencies of the interior of the current parsonage.
• The congregation would need to have site work/clean-up done where parsonage currently sits.
• The minister gains no equity and has no home upon retirement or resignation.
• Pastor Ryan and his family would have to move twice if we choose this option.
• Would require a capital building campaign.
• Would require taking down the playground where it exists

• One of the least expensive options to provide housing. We have two estimates local modular companies for a four-bedroom home with all sub-contracting done for $290,000- $296,000. (We could also get estimates for a three-bedroom with a den house and/or possibly do our own sub-contracting.)
• Two two-story homes are currently on clearance at John A. Alvarez & Sons, Inc.
• Low interest rates for house purchases.
• We are tax exempt.
• Could be built handicapped-accessible providing for future needs of ministers and families.
• New house would be more energy-efficient.
• Deals with all current health and safety issues.
• Lessens the "fish bowl" effect.
• Keeps the minster and his/her family close enough to allow him/her access to family and church throughout the day or in an emergency.
• Frees up property for the church to expand in the future.
• Provides housing to ministerial candidate in a search.
• Pastor Nace and his family need only move once.
• Provides housing for the minster (and his family) as part of the current call.

• The congregation would need to deal with the parsonage and decide whether to renovate it for some other use or sell it for removal. Renovating it for new purposes, such as fellowship, classrooms or offices, would/could result in us having to bring it up to current local building codes. This was not fully explored by the BRC.
• Site work/clean-up would need to be done where parsonage currently sits.
• Either the modular company or the congregation would have to do the sub-contracting.
• The minister gains no equity and has no home upon retirement or resignation.
• The Nace family may not end up with a four bedroom home if the decision is to purchase a less-expensive three bedroom home.
• Some ministerial candidates would not like having to live on campus, and would prefer a housing allowance.
• The congregation continues to have the responsibility to maintain the parsonage drawing on the Endowment Fund or making a need for special fundraising when major repairs are required.
• Water needs would require the drilling of a new well (or wells) to provide sufficient water for parsonage and church needs.
• Requires laying out a new septic system.
• A modular home may look out of character with existing church buildings.
• Would require a capital building campaign.
• Would require taking down the playground where it exists.

• The church could own it and still incur no taxes.
• Would allow privacy for minister and his/her family now and in the future.
• Frees up property for the church to expand in the future.
• The Naces could have input into type of home and/or features they would like to have in "new" home.
• The church may allow the minister to later purchase the home from the church.
• The church could later sell the home if we decide to offer a housing allowance, or housing needs of a future minister were different (i.e. a smaller home).
• The real estate market is currently favorable for buyers.
• The Naces need only move once.

• The congregation would need to deal with the parsonage and decide whether to renovate it for some other use or sell it for removal. Renovating it for new purposes, such as fellowship, classrooms or offices, would/could result in us having to bring it up to current local building codes. This was not fully explored by the BRC.
• Site work/clean-up would need to be done where parsonage currently sits.
• The minister gains no equity and has no home upon retirement or resignation.
• The Nace family may not end up with a four bedroom home if the decision is to purchase a less-expensive three bedroom home.
• We may need to do modifications for handicapped-accessibility if/when needs arise.
• There may still be health issues in dealing with a home purchase.
• The congregation continues to have the responsibility to maintain the parsonage drawing on the Endowment Fund or making a need for special fundraising when major repairs are required.
• The home may not be as energy-efficient as re-fitting the parsonage or purchasing a new modular home.
• The minister would have to drive to church and not be as accessible as above options, something the Naces currently value.
• Although it seems to be a home buyer’s market, the BRC found limited homes where houses for sale were already handicapped accessible or where the home could be modified to allow someone in a wheelchair access to the family space. There were many raised ranches or split levels on the market. A wheelchair may be able to enter the home, but the person would be isolated and unable to reach the living room, kitchen, dining room, or family room once inside the house.
• We may have to seek outside the Red hook School District if pressed for time to find a home.
• Would change the current call to ministry for Pastor Ryan.
• Would require a capital building campaign.

• A minister could rent or own and home depending on needs.
• Would allow privacy for minister and his/her family now and in the future.
• Frees up property for the church to expand in the future.
• The Naces could have input into type of home and/or features they would like to have in "new" home.
• Congregation no longer owns a parsonage.
• The congregation may not be responsible for electric and heating/cooling costs and/or maintenance costs. These could be included in the housing allowance.
• May be more attractive to future ministerial candidates.
• Issues of choice, health, safety, handicapped accessibility are not church issues.
• Minister and family need only move once.
• The minister develops equity.
• Great home buyer’s market now.
• Would not require a capital building campaign like other options.

• Would require a greater commitment to church budget to cover this increased expense. The BRC discussed a starting housing allowance of $2500-$3000. This may not even be adequate.
• The housing allowance could cost the church upwards of a million dollars within 30 years with nothing "to show" for it. It would therein be part of the church budget unless future generations decide to offer another housing option.
• Minister’s home is on the tax rolls and no longer exempt.
• The congregation would need to deal with the parsonage and decide whether to renovate it for some other use or sell it for removal. Renovating it for new purposes, such as fellowship or offices, would/could result in us having to bring it up to current local building codes. This was not fully explored by the BRC.
• The minister would have to drive to church and not be as accessible as above options, something the Naces currently value.
• An incoming minister may have difficulties finding a home to suit needs as quickly as s/he may need a home.

Comments will be accepted until October 1st.