Incarnation Capital Campaign

Our fundraising drive to purchase 1609 Branch Street as our lasting home

 

On Sunday, August 31st, Incarnation launched its first capital campaign. Our church has rented worship space for over ten years, first on Brevard Street, and then on Branch Street. In May 2025, after seven years of renting 1609 Branch Street two days a week, we were offered the chance to purchase the property. The Incarnation leadership unanimously voted to acquire it as our permanent home, and we closed on the purchase in June 2026.

The primary reason for our decision to purchase is that it will enable us to continue our life of worship and witness together in central Tallahassee. The option to rent our present space came to an end. A detailed analysis of alternatives, conducted in summer 2024, revealed that all other building options would cost significantly more, or move us far away.

But ownership of 1609 Branch Street presents our community with scores of new mission opportunities. Last summer, Vestry formed a focus team called “Imagine Incarnation” to begin to explore some of these possibilities. Click the image below to read the trifold that was handed out at the launch dinner.

 

I’m sure you have questions! Some of them are answered below.

  • We bought the property for $925,000.

  • We bought 1609 Branch Street in “as is” condition, and before we put too much work into cosmetic upgrades, it needs some structural work to bring it back to an insurable condition. Specifically, a new roof, some new AC units, and upgrades to the plumbing and electrical systems. For the sake of insurance, all this work must be completed within our first year of ownership. We have estimates from some (but not all) the contractors, and expect these renovations to cost a total of between $100 and $150,000.

  • The Family Worship and Praise Center has a three-month grace period to move out, so they have time to renovate their new property. We expect to gain access to the extra rooms in the children’s wing sooner than that, and redecorate them.

    In mid-September, our staff will gain new offices and we will create new rooms on campus: an expanded library, prayer chapel, music practice and recording rooms, and vesting room.

    In mid Fall, we will carpet and paint the sanctuary, replace the sound system, and reorganize the pews and stage. By the end of 2026, we aim to have the roof and AC units replaced and the electrical work done.

  • This is a very important question! And our treasurer has done a detailed analysis to answer it. The bottom line is that we can manage the regular running costs of the building (including utilities, internet, printing, groundskeeping, and cleaning) for about what we are currently paying in rent (which is $3,300 a month). This allows capital campaign funds to be directed to mortgage and essential repairs. If you are interested in donating supplies or time to help develop, clean, or maintain the new building, please talk to Pastor Jon.

  • The area of the building we currently have access to on a Sunday is about 11,000 sq ft. The area of the building that is currently off-limits to us is about another 5,000 sq ft. So that represents about a 45% increase.

    More significantly, we currently rent the space only two days a week. So we will gain five days a week too!

  • The increase of space and time that building ownership brings will create countless new ministry opportunities, and we expect to see plenty of new ventures starting in the Fall. Right away, here are some plans that are in the works:

    A Food Pantry, in partnership with Safe Families, which will continue our work to bless and support our city neighbors who are food-insecure.

    We intend to strengthen our mission partnerships with Legacy Refuge and Incarnation East by offering them onsite office space.

    Prayer has been growing in strength in recent weeks, and we will create new spaces for pre-service prayer, prayer ministry, healing prayer services, and retreats.

    Musical Worship is a strength we intend to invest in, by creating spaces for music lessons and recording projects, along with songwriting retreats.

    The Artists’ Guild has started meeting to dream of ways to share the Gospel through the arts.

    Theological Learning is a passion for our community, and we have recently received several generous donations to our library. A library expansion will house these new books and provide new spaces for study.

What is our Current Capital Campaign progress?

How can I contribute right now?

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