Q: Why do we need to expand and renovate our space?

A: The Next Chapter campaign is the culmination of a four year discernment process. Studies show that once a church reaches 80% of its capacity, growth slows as visitors perceive a lack of space. For 7 of the last 8 years that we have been worshiping in our building, our attendance has exceeded this number. For three of those years, we have regularly surpassed fire-code limits. That is just the sanctuary. Children’s programs have been forced off-campus, staff members work out of closets, and ministry teams are regularly negotiating use of the conference room. We want to be a hospitable place where ministries flourish. It is time to expand.

Q: Where will we be meeting during construction?

Santa Barbara Community Church has generously offered to share their facilities with us during this time. The address is 1002 Cieneguitas Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. 

Q: Will we have a new service time?

Yes, our worship service will move to 4:00pm while we share SBCC’s worship space. 

Q: What will children’s ministry and childcare look like in the new location?

We are welcome to use the children’s areas in our temporary facility; the children’s ministry will continue as usual. One difference is that there is a “cry room” for parents who would like to use it. 

Q: Will we still have activities before and after the worship service like events, training, and pre-service learning? 

Yes, we plan to continue to offer pre-service learning as well as events after worship like we do in our current space. Of course, meals are likely to be dinners instead of lunches because of the change in service time!

Q: Will my volunteer commitment responsibilities remain the same?

The staff are planning to maintain our regular rhythms as much as possible. While there may be some changes, team leaders will reach out to you in advance with any potential modifications to routines and responsibilities. 

Q: When will we move from 36 E Victoria to the temporary location?

Our last Sunday of worship in our current space will be June 15, 2025. Our first Sunday worshiping in the afternoon on the campus of Santa Barbara Community Church will be June 22nd, 2025.

Q: Are we doing anything special to mark the end of our time in the current space as it now stands?

Yes, the staff has already begun planning opportunities for remembrance, gratitude, and reflection as we make this tangible transition. 

Q: Will we have access to our current space while we are worshipping elsewhere?

No, it will be closed for demolition and construction. We will have removed everything from the building and will be storing the things we need, whether those are being used for worship in our temporary space or being stored longer term elsewhere. 

Q: How long will we be worshipping at the temporary location?

The precise timeline is uncertain. We anticipate returning to our building in spring or summer 2026.

Q: How can I help?

Immediate needs are for storage to put the things we want to keep (piano, furniture, sound equipment, etc.) Please pray for the staff and leadership during this time of transition as they seek to make the best use of our resources; work under changing and flexible conditions; and continue to shepherd and care for the congregation. Also, please be in prayer for the building and construction work that is happening.

Q; In what ways are we called to serve Santa Barbara Downtown?

Originally, when the church started, there weren’t enough evangelical churches downtown. Continuing/going forward, we believe it’s good for the church to be salt and light in this location. A feasibility study was done, and based on needed capacity and options for buying various buildings that might be available, it was determined that it was most cost-effective to use and modify the current space. We also wanted to maintain our unique role rather than morphing into a role mimicking that of other local churches.

Since its inception, Christ Presbyterian Church has had a strong call to be engaged in God’s downtown story. The church entered the story when God moved a small prayer group to begin hosting services at the Carrillo Recreation Center. God then provided the means to buy a building to minister in this city rich with arts, culture, and people yearning to know something greater.

The church initially bought 32 East Victoria, the building next to its current location. After some encouragement, they stepped out in faith by making an offer on the advantageous, but off-market corner space. Graciously (and miraculously), God provided two buildings.

For the past two decades, the CPC community has continued to witness God’s power and love by participating in God’s story through the corner building. In fact, for nearly a decade we have exceeded that building’s capacity. We have regularly surpassed fire-code limits. Children’s programs have been forced off-campus, staff members work out of closets, and ministry teams are regularly negotiating use of the lone conference/multi-purpose room. Because we believe God calls us to be a hospitable place where ministries flourish, we also believe he is calling us to step out in faith as we expand next door.

Phil and Sophia Beccue

We’ve been attending CPC since 2018, shortly after moving to Santa Barbara. From the beginning, we were warmly welcomed. We love so many aspects of CPC, including its focus on God’s glory in worship and its heart for the city and the world. In particular, being an artist, Sophia appreciated the unique way CPC reaches out and serves the local artists by offering its gallery space.

In early 2019, Sophia was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Our community group and many others came alongside us and carried us through this challenging time. So many members, including Kyle, helped us move back into our house and fed us meals. Life would have been unbearable without our CPC family. God, in His mercy, heard the prayers of His people, and now Sophia is doing well managing her cancer. God has worked this affliction for good by enabling Sophia to bear witness to his story of faithfulness through her art and through CPC’s art gallery.  

In early 2021, Phil was also diagnosed with an aggressive and rare cancer that brought great physical pain and weakness. Once again, CPC folded us into its arms and has been caring for us in every way imaginable. God used His people in CPC to uphold us, strengthen us,listen to us, and walk with us on the good and bad days. As Phil continues to recover, we are deeply grateful to God for His provision through the loving care of CPC.