What is this place? Those words are sung regularly at Columbus Mennonite Church. It’s the title and the first line of one of this congregation’s most beloved hymns. It offers a powerful theme for this Capital Campaign because it opens up a conversation on what the building means to us now and what it could be in the future.

The building that Columbus Mennonite Church has called home for over twenty-five years was built in phases from 1910 to the 1990s. It is a sturdy old building that has weathered the decades well, but there are essential infrastructure features that are nearing the end of their usefulness. These include the roof and the heating and cooling systems, among other things.

We dedicate this campaign to the memory of Al Bauman, who was this building’s most passionate caretaker for many years. He cherished the building and spent an untold number of hours caring for it and the people of Columbus Mennonite Church.

As a congregation, we are at a decision point about how we’ll prepare our building for the future. Our values compel us to consider our impact on the environment and the community while remaining fiscally responsible. How can we make our building more sustainable, more accessible, and more beneficial for ourselves and the wider community?

Those questions will be answered as the campaign progresses.