Stewartstown UMC has a vibrant and active community; however, limited accessibility prohibits full participation by all people.
History:
In 2013, the church received donations towards a new elevator. This sparked conversations about changes to the current building to meet congregational needs and the anticipated costs. After multiple investigations and interruptions, the church conducted a very positive Feasibility Study in 2023. The congregation then voted to move forward with a new construction and renovation project for the church.

Current Facility Shortcomings:
  • undefined building entrance
  • lack of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant restrooms 
  • poor access to lower level
  • original, drafty sanctuary windows
  • inadequate storage no common area for gathering and 
  • inadequate rooms for children, youth, and adult activities.

Construction Project Objectives:

Connecting: Building Authentic Relationships
  • Provide a modern elevator to accommodate access for all persons
  • Establish “Welcome Center” for visitors and guests
  • Provide an ADA compliant building, including restrooms and ramps
  • Upgrade the electrical systems and other infrastructure to current codes
  • Upgrade and improve parking facilities
  • Upgrade and improve building access
Serving: Outreach and Caring Ministries
  • Provide safe and efficient office space for staff
  • Provide private and secure space for counseling and referral services
  • Provide space which can be offered to the community for refuge in emergency situations
  • Provide space to allow networking with community groups and other agencies
  • Provide space to support mission and community service projects
Growing: Spiritual Formation and Personal and Corporate Worship
  • Establish secure and dedicated spaces for nursery and toddlers
  • Establish additional and flexible educational spaces and resources for all ages
  • Establish additional storage for program resources and events to include Vacation Bible School, Summer Theatre, Elective Studies, church equipment, musical instruments, etc.
  • Establish informal (impromptu) meeting spaces for the congregation and the community

Project Details

Timeline (Pending Approval)
Church Conference (vote to build) Feb/Mar 2025
Contract Award March 2025
Construction Start June 2025
Construction June 2025 to March 2026
Dedication May 2026

Estimated Costs
The cost goal of the project is $2.3M

What can I do?

Depending on your financial situation, preferences, and what you feel most comfortable with, consider these ways to support the project:
  • One-Time Donation: Make a single, lump-sum donation.
  • Commitment: Commit to donating a certain amount of money over a specified period of time.
  • Regular Contributions: Commit to making regular, ongoing contributions by contributing a fixed amount on a consistent basis.
  • Gifts of Securities: Choose to donate stocks, bonds, or other securities which may provide a tax benefit.
  • In-Kind Donations: Consider donating goods or services needed for the building project, such as materials, equipment, professional services or volunteer labor.
  • Legacy Giving: Include the church building fund in your estate plans.
To discuss ways to make a commitment, contact any member of the Building Fund committee for more information.
Donate
July 20 Update
  • Construction has started!!
  • Primary focus this week was to start demolition and excavation in our front yard for the new addition. E&S controls were installed, concrete sidewalks were removed along with the small roof over the lower level.
July 13 Update
Construction has started!
  • Our General Contractor (Heck Construction Co.) had a demolition crew removing walls on the upper level. The new walls will be going up next week.
The outdoor A/C units were removed in preparation for excavation for the new addition.
June 27 Update
· Several subcontractors have been to SUMC to review their Scope of Work and meet with the on-site Project Superintendent. The construction trailers  and dumpster are in place.  Our GC (Heck Construction Co.) is ready to go.
· The pre-construction on-site meeting was held at SUMC with the Borough Engineer, our site Civil Engineer, Project Superintendent and SUMC rep to review the Land Development plan and discuss required inspections.
· SUMC Volunteers have completed several room renovations and have completed preparations to allow our General Contractor (Heck Construction Co.) to start as soon as we receive our Building Permit.
· The SUMC volunteers continued efforts to create a small meeting room on the lower level in Rm G13. This room will be perfect for small groups to meet in.
June 19 Update
· Construction site fencing has gone up. It’s getting real folks!
· The SUMC volunteers cleared out the Nursery room and configured the Noah’s Arc room for child care during Sunday service.
The SUMC volunteers started working on the new small meeting room (G13).
June 12 Update
· Construction trailer has been delivered and is on site. It’s getting real folks!
· Gary’s new office and storage area is nearly completed.
· Painting of the new Children’s education and new Youth rooms and closets has been completed. Floors scrubbed, waxed and buffed. Thank you SUMC painters (Ginger B, Jan A, Mary & Ed S).
· Cleared out Gary’s old office and removed ceiling. This will be a future Theatre storage room which will allow the stage to be cleared for other uses.  Thank you SUMC pre-con team (Doug P, Ed S, Chuck B, Joe S, Randy B and Bryan C).
June 5 Update
· Shout out to Jake Hebel who presented our Land Development plan to Stewartstown Borough Council on Monday evening (6/2). The Council voted unaminously to approve the plan. Well done Jake!
· Another shout out to Aaron Manifold who dug a trench in our front lawn so that a water infiltration test could be performed on Wednesday (6/4). Test results were favorable. Thank you Aaron!
· Painting of the new Children’s education room and closets took place. Thank you SUMC painters (Ginger B, Jan A, Mary & Ed S).
· Cleared out the hallway between the ramp door and the sanctuary. Moved Gary’s office desk, tools and supplies to his new location. Thank you SUMC pre-con team (Doug P, Ed S, Chuck B, Joe S, Randy B and BrYan C).
Utilities were flagged in front lawn
· We are getting very close to start of construction….outside and inside. Expected start is June 23rd.
· Office trailer arrives week of June 9th.
· Gary’s old office gets emptied and ceiling removed.
· New Youth room gets fresh paint.
· SUMC pre-construction work will resume Monday and Tuesday, June 9 & 10th. If you would like to help those days or in the future, let Mary Sloat (443-610-1855)or Randy Babcock (717-309-3319) know.
Project Supporting Witnesses
Jean Sansonetti
Nate Herbert
Joe and Pat Dablock
Terri Hebel
Ginger Babcock
Bob Hoyt
Pastor Mitch Hescox
Jan Allen
Holly Herbert
Jeff Beatty
Mary Sloat
Ava Elicker