Property Usage Visioning

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More than thirty Friends stayed after Meeting for Worship on August 20 to hold a preliminary discussion of how the new meetinghouse and property – possibly in combination with our current building – might be used to further engage CHMM with the wider community and serve its needs. The concern for use of the Meeting’s facilities has been a recurring theme in discussions of the new meetinghouse and in the questionnaire returns to James Bradberry.

The discussion first focused on possible principles that might guide use of the Meeting’s property or properties. Suggestions included:

  • Provide space to groups without space
  • Provide space to serve the underserved
  • Worship space for all, open seven days a week
  • Use space in way that reflects our Meeting’s adventurous history
  • Use in way that furthers Penn’s Holy Experiment – promote people living together in harmony
  • Use in collaboration with other Friends institutions
  • Use as a resource to Quakerism
  • Openness of outdoor space to wider community
  • Remember that the central purpose of the meetinghouse is worship
  • Use space to generate revenue for the Meeting and its work
  • Keep space affordable for groups with few funds

The group then moved on to more specific uses that members could imagine. Some of these suggestions assumed continued ownership by CHMM of the current property. Note that some of these ideas suggest activities that the Meeting might undertake, and others presume an outside user. The ideas included:

  • Sanctuary for immigrants
  • Retreat center (with cabin in the woods?)
  • A center for worship and contemplation that would be inviting to seekers, with alternative times for worship and fellowship
  • Library for religious study
  • Well baby clinic
  • A hospice (current building)
  • Regular use by another congregation with other worship time
  • A showplace and educational center for environmental design
  • Respite care for young mothers
  • Rentable office space
  • Use to deepen our connections to work at Fair Hill
  • Make space available to Abington Friends School for satellite preschool
  • Make space available to Stapeley in Germantown for development of senior services – senior center, adult day, etc
  • Promote use for weddings and memorial services – especially for those not welcomed in other religious settings
  • Rent for conferences
  • Collaborate with Pendle Hill for occasional workshops/conferences/youth gatherings
  • Continue existing relationships with NPIHN, AA, MALT, Living Waters congregation
  • Setting for instruction in Quakerism
  • Rent or lease current building to UCP
  • Provide gallery space to artists

The group was reminded that, if we sell the current building to UCP, we can be assured that they will put the facility to excellent use even if it is no longer under our control.

Some of the ideas had more to do with the design of the building than its use. While this will be the focus of the September 16 Design Workshop, the suggestions are recorded here.

  • If we keep both buildings, consider what kinds of purposes are best for each
  • We shouldn’t design for specific outside users (e.g., NPIHN guests), but rather should consider the range of likely uses of the new building over time and assure that the building has adequate flexibility. Adequate kitchen and bathrooms, showers, etc.
  • The new building will need substantial storage space, especially if we envision dual use of some of the spaces.
  • The new building should be child friendly.
  • Bikes should be accommodated.
  • All should be ADA accessible.
  • The building should provide greater visibility (find-ability) and be welcoming in appearance.
  • The building should have great acoustics for music.

Finally, there was one additional word of advice:

  • We should be sure that our plans for the new space do not outstrip our human resources!

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