All Saints Church Master Plan Construction Placed on Hold

All Saints Church’s Master Plan construction plans have been placed on hold by the church’s Vestry, it was announced today by All Saints’ Rector Ed Bacon. The decision was reached by the governing board at its meeting on Tuesday, December 1st after months of consultation and prayerful consideration.

Bacon named several reasons for the decision. Many years of planning reached the time for action just as the 2008 recession hit. Also, the City of Pasadena entitlement process turned into a much longer and much more expensive exercise than could have been forecast in advance. By the time the entitlements were approved, not only had construction costs risen significantly in the region, but the financial support base of the church’s major donors had changed significantly through the death or relocation of some whose help was critical to the project’s funding.

All Saints’ worship and outreach participation remain vigorous as one of the most involved and committed congregations among Episcopal churches nationwide. Therefore, the need for expanded facilities for meetings, programs and pastoral care is as pressing today as ever. Also, the church’s historic leadership in community response to emerging needs remains energetic and vital. All Saints Church founded Union Station Homeless Services and the Day One resource for addressing alcohol and substance abuse – and incubating organizations to address community issues continues to bring its own demands for physical space. Combined with the space needs of the dynamic and expanding children and youth programs, All Saints remains committed to solving these challenges with an achievable plan for increased space and capacity for mission and ministry.

To respond to these many needs and their space requirements the church will immediately appoint a task force to recommend next steps. Monies already donated for All Saints’ capital needs, and additional funds given for that purpose will continue to be kept separate and protected for the capital needs that inspired the gifts.

In its action to realign the way the church addresses its pressing physical needs, the Vestry praised the energy and leadership of its rector, the Rev. Ed Bacon. “If a way could have been found to overcome the effects of the recession and prevent the years of delay in the city’s approval requirements, Ed Bacon would certainly have found it. The Vestry and the congregation owe our rector their highest praise,” said Bob Long, co-chair of the Building Project.

For more information, visit http://www.allsaints-pas.org/.