Campus Update

For nearly 75 years, Preston Hollow has resided at the intersection of Preston Road and Walnut Hill Lane and the intersection of life and faith, offering those longing for a connection with God a pathway to deeper faith and belonging. It has been the Spirit's work through the people of God and the body of Christ the church. It's a holy privilege and incredible gift to continue in ministry from this corner. As we survey the horizon for our next seventy-five years in ministry our, Special Projects Committee, in conjunction with the Session, have been looking to the future and examining the readiness of our physical campus for the ministry God continues to call us from this corner.

Please check here often for information on how we are facing the challenges of our aging infrastructure, updates on planning for an upcoming capital campaign, communications from the Special Projects Committee and the Session, and more!

Frequently Asked Questions

How close are we to reaching our $7 million goal for infrastructure repairs?

In recent weeks, we’ve received additional gifts bringing our total to $6.1M thanks to the generosity of several families with our congregation. We are confident we have a pathway to securing the funds needed to meet this goal. With this milestone achieved, we can now raise our sights in support of the broader vision ahead.

What specific repairs are being funded through this effort?

We’re prioritizing urgent and long-term infrastructure needs including full replacement of six aging air handler units (AHUs), HVAC components like the boiler, fan boxes, chiller, and roof hatch installations, as well as repairs to the storm drain system and fire panel, with a portion of funds also supporting campaign planning through capacity building.

What additional property needs are expected once these current projects are completed?

Tier 2 projects include electrical panels and a backup chiller, critical for safe power distribution and ensuring uninterrupted cooling of the building.

What has been happening behind the scenes over the past few months?

Since spring, PHPC has been laying the groundwork for a successful campaign through thoughtful strategic planning. As momentum builds, our focus has shifted to refining the campaign’s messaging, recruiting volunteer leadership, and refining the Session-approved initial concept. Partnering with CCS Fundraising, we’re working to align infrastructure priorities with PHPC’s long-term ministry goals, ensuring the campaign reflects both our mission and our vision for the future.

When will the campaign officially begin?

Over the next year, every member will be invited to consider a gift of their time, talent, and treasure. Not everyone will be asked at the same time. Like all major undertakings in life, we want to approach this campaign in a step-by-step manner, steadily building momentum. Right now, here is what we're asking of you: stay up to date on the planning and progress shared, keep an open heart and mind about our future, and consider giving generously and sacrificially when you are asked.

Will the congregation sign off on the campaign plans before anything is finalized?

Based on insights from the visioning workshops, Session has approved an initial high-level concept. While many details are still evolving, we hope to have more to share soon. Please know that plans will continue to take shape, and these information sessions are designed to keep the congregation as informed as possible throughout the process. We hope you’ll make plans to join us!

What is the fundraising goal for the campaign?

The final campaign goal is being shaped through a combination of data insights and early donor conversations, with the aim of setting a target that is both bold and achievable, and aligned with our long-term vision.

Can you share more about the key priorities that will guide the campaign?

Priorities include renovating spaces to foster connection, spiritual growth, and education throughout the week, raising funds beyond the annual budget to proactively address infrastructure needs, and investing in programs that activate these spaces, engaging all ages, stewarding our buildings wisely, and growing our congregation.

Will we have a school in the future?

We heard in the visioning workshops a strong interest in exploring educational opportunities at PHPC. We remain open to both creating our own Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) and exploring partnerships with outside organizations. Our campus concepts are being intentionally designed to accommodate either possibility.

Why are there personalized ask consideration on my Commit pledge card?

By offering suggested amounts, we hope to make our request to the congregation clear, thoughtful and meaningful. It’s a simple way to invite generosity while supporting long-term goals. As part of a comprehensive strategy, these suggested ask amounts ensure every donor has a clear path to make an impact.

When are we going to share the plans with the congregation? Do we get to provide input?

We’re carefully evaluating all aspects of the proposed plans to ensure they align with our mission and are feasible for our congregation. As the plan is refined, we’ll share updates as appropriate.

What is going to happen to the north side?

We are currently conducting due diligence regarding the north side of the building and assessing potential next steps. Once we have a clear and well-informed set of options, we will share them with the congregation.

Building History

1952 - Founders Hall and Original School Building
1955 - 2^nd Story and Attic in School Building
1957 - 2 Story Classroom Wing, Gym and Attic Expansion
1962 - Sanctuary & Parlor, Walkway to School, South Basement, plus additional classrooms
1981 -Chapel
1986 - Small additions / modifications to Education Wing and Sanctuary Expansion
2001 - Latest Sanctuary Expansion, Offices, Emmanuel Hall, Jubilee Hall, Music Library and Rehearsal Areas, Youth House
2014 - Exploration of Capital Campaign. Effort ended with Pastor Blair Monie's retirement
2019 - First Complex-wide evaluation of the heating, cooling and electrical systems by Brandt indicating equipment far beyond expected shelf life
2022 - Replacement of the 2 primary AHUs in the church sanctuary
2023 - Follow-up Engineering Evaluation of Mechanical & Electric Systems by DC4 Engineering and Deverlopment of 5 stage replacement plan for North Campus
2023 - Replacement of North Building Boiler & South Building Water Heater
2024 - "February Freeze" loss of Heating in Founders Hall and other areas in North Campus; Pipe failure in South Basement
2024 - Replacement of North Building Cooling Tower
2024 - DC4 Engineering 5 stage Mechanical & Electric Replacement Plan for South Campus
2025 - Scheduled Replacement of Parlor AHU

Campus Update

November 11, 2024

Dear Members of PHPC,

As you may know, we recently completed a campaign feasibility study in partnership with CCS Fundraising. The findings provided valuable insights into our potential participation in a campaign. However, it is now crucial that we add specificity to our plans in order to discern a clear path forward and fulfill our vision for a vibrant and welcoming campus that will support our flourishing church for another 75 years.

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I would like to personally invite you to participate in a visioning workshop—a unique opportunity to brainstorm how we can reimagine our spaces to better support worship, fellowship, and engagement. Our goal is to conduct a series of congregation-wide workshops that ensure an inclusive planning process where every voice is heard, ultimately refining our funding priorities. In this workshop, we will seek your reflections on how our campus can support and embody the vision of our church.

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As we advance our campaign planning efforts, your feedback is more important than ever. This workshop will feature guided conversations and exercises facilitated by CCS Fundraising designed to gather your insights.

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Your creative input is vital to the success of this visioning effort. CCS will host a series of workshops at the following dates and times. If you are unable to attend, please know that additional sessions in January 2025, as well as an e-survey, will be shared in late December 2024 or early January 2025.

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Workshop Details:

All workshops will be held at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. The workshops on December 1st and 2nd will take place in Jubilee Hall, while all other workshops will be held in the Youth House.

Monday, November 18th from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm CT
Tuesday, November 19th from 6:30 – 8:30 pm CT
Sunday, November 24th from 12:15 pm – 2 pm CT
Sunday, November 24th from 6 pm – 8 pm CT
Tuesday, November 26th from 6 – 8 pm CT
Sunday, December 1st from 1 pm – 3 pm CT
Sunday, December 1st from 3 pm – 5 pm CT
Monday, December 2nd from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm CT
Sunday, December 15th from 12:15 pm – 2 pm CT

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Please confirm your participation via this [Qualtrics link]. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Katherine Pawlowski at PHPCworkshops@phpc.org. She will coordinate with the Special Projects Committee and CCS Fundraising to address any questions you may have.

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Important things to remember when signing up:

Workshops are limited to 30 participants; they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each member of a household must sign up separately.
Please only sign up for one date and time to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
If a workshop has 15 or fewer registrants 24 hours before the session, it will be canceled and rescheduled for a later time. Registrants will be notified.

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I hope you will join me in this important endeavor for our congregation. Thank you in advance for your creative support.

With great hope,

Rev. Matthew Ruffner

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Letter to the Congregation: May 9, 2024

In the church’s continuing efforts over the last 18 months to focus our capital spending on repairs to the north end of campus used by PHPS, we completed the installation of the north campus cooling tower this week just as the old one was completing its death spiral! This complements the work that was done replacing the north campus boiler and a number of other pieces of equipment integral to the operation of the north end of campus.

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The cooling tower, along with the chillers, is at the heart of the air conditioning system. The tower takes the heated water from the air handler units located throughout the building and then starts the air conditioning process by sending the first stage of cooled water back into the system to keep the cooling process going.

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Because this effort impacted the school’s operations this week due to the unseasonably high outside temperatures, the church offered to turn over the south campus and the youth building to the school while the installation work was in process. PHPS decided to use Jubilee Hall and the Atrium for some of their activities this week, otherwise they chose to remain in the north end of the campus while the work was being done. Where we had indications the electrical system would allow, the church was able to provide portable air conditioners for the nursery school rooms.

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We are pleased that another critical piece of infrastructure in the north end was remediated. We are also well aware that there is much, much more to do and the combination of the Property Committee, the Strategic Projects Team, Staff and Session are working to develop a plan to generate the capital funding needed to address all the long overdue infrastructure issues on our beautiful and historic campus.

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Past Communications

Letter to the Congregation: May 2, 2024

Next week, the church will install a new cooling tower on the north end of campus. We recognize the timing of this is not ideal for any group on campus, but we must move forward with these plans as we continue to ensure PHPC is a place where all belong (and are comfortable). As a result, the north building will not have AC next week, May 6th through 10th. Here are the steps the church has or is taking to address the issues that come with having no AC in the north building next week:

The church has offered to let the school use meeting space on the south end of campus next week, where AC should be working.
The school has declined to relocate all their classrooms next week but has requested the students eat lunch in the Atrium and we have set up Jubilee in multiple classroom configurations in case teachers want to move there.
The church has asked all small groups that are scheduled to meet in Jubilee and the library during working hours next week to relocate so as not to disrupt the school’s activities.
The church is also relocating the Wednesday night childcare to an air-conditioned room.

We expect the AC to be on and working by sometime next Friday, May 10^th, so that Sunday activities will not be impacted.

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Also, if you come to the church Monday, May 6th of next week, please note that the Aberdeen entrance will be blocked due to a crane and at least one tractor-trailer parked in the driveway. All equipment should be cleared by Tuesday morning, May 7^th.

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As is our usual practice, all visitors are required to enter the building through the south entrance (Walnut Hill doors) during the workday to ensure the safety of all on campus. PHPC staff will be working on-site next week according to their usual hours.