The majority of the building of Fellowship Hall was done during 2008.

Originally, our plans called for construction to begin mid-year of 2007. The feasibility study had been presented to Session and the Congregation with approval to initiate the building of Phase II of the Master Plan developed in the year 2000. However, since 2000, there were many building code changes which we had to confront before we could gain approval from the Architectural Control Committee of the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association. The code changes were of such magnitude we were forced to rethink our original plan for Phase II.

We were fortunate to have acquired the services of our original Architect, Keith Miller and our Phase I Contractor, Irwin Seale. They guided us though the last six months of 2007 in developing a workable Phase II Plan to begin construction in 2007 to avoid additional code changes that could have made the building of the Fellowship Hall not financially feasible.

In the meantime, during 2007, several items of note were accomplished: In July we conducted our Fellowship Hall building fund campaign. On Sunday, July 29, our Commitment Sunday, we knew the results of our pledges to our 3 year campaign. A most gratifying response of over $342,000.00 pledged.

With that response the congregation authorized borrowing up to $615,000.00. The Presbytery of Arkansas approved this amount in September.

We obtained our building permit December 6.

Construction began December 27.

In addition to the construction of the Fellowship Hall during 2008, several modifications to our existing facility were made:

*The air flow noise in the Sanctuary was reduced by reworking the heating and air conditioning so that the Sanctuary and Narthex are on the same system.

*Fifty percent of the space utilized by our coffee bar area and storage area was converted to a choir robing and music storage area, maintaining the remaining space for storage.

*The Parlor/Library area was reworked to include a more accessible computer system and enough shelving was added to double our library book space.

*Two hanging lights were installed in the rear of the Sanctuary and one hanging light was installed in the Choir Loft.

An excellent source to visually see the chronology of the building of Fellowship Hall can be found on our church website, http://www.woodlandschurchhsv.org/wpcaddition.html.

Our first use of Fellowship Hall was for our cookie/coffee fellowship following our Worship Service Sunday, August 31, eight months after construction began.

Our formal dedication was held Sunday, September 21 following the Worship Service.

Financially we are on target.. 2008 Building Fund income was + 7% over projection. Additionally, we were able to use 2008 building income to pay for building expenses, which had the effect of reducing the amount needed to be borrowed under long term financing. Construction loan monies borrowed were at the rate of 4.5%. In cooperation with the Finance Ministry Team, we have modified our loan to reflect a prime floating rate of 4.0%, adjusted annually, with a floor of 4.0% and a ceiling of 7.0%. There is no penalty for pre-payment. The amount of our note is $525,000.00.

Thanks be to GOD for His oversight in all our past, recent and future activities. May all be done for His glory and honor.

-Fellowship Hall Building Team

Sam Thompson - Chairman

Dale Anderson

Lewis Stivitts