The Background

It has been 20 years since the founders of our parish began working together with Peter (of blessed memory) and John Maniatis of the Home Foundation, to assist with the purchase of our current church, originally the Peoria Nazarene Church, in the historic "Old Town" section of Peoria. These facilities have served our community well, but as our parish has grown over the years, the consensus from parishioner surveys (most recently in 2006) has consistently shown the desire to move forward with a plan to build a new church in a new location.

At the Spring 2001 General Assembly, our congregation approved the purchase of five acres of undeveloped land at 75th Avenue and Greenway Road in Peoria, and with enthusiastic support, brought about an early mortgage pay-off three years later.

Following a thorough search and evaluation process, our Building Committee selected the architectural firm of Callahan and Associates to partner with us for the design of a Preliminary Master Plan (below) for our new church complex.

Goals and Objectives

It is never an easy task to plan for the future; yet, we only have to look back over the past 20 years, and see the boldness and the faith that motivated the founders of St. Haralambos Church. To honor their memory, their faith and desires, our steps must be just as bold, and made with equal faith.

It is also helpful to become familiar with population growth and forecasts. The most recent US Census Bureau numbers show Maricopa County with the largest numerical population increase among the country's counties between 2000 and 2006. Additionally, from 2005 – 2006, Arizona was the fasting growing state in the nation.

Keeping all of the foregoing in mind, our new building project consists of:

• A beautiful new church, with seating for approximately 400, combining traditional Byzantine architectural elements within 21st century southwestern culture. Paying close attention to acoustical properties, lighting, aesthetic beauty and physical comfort will not only help foster inspirational worship, but will firmly establish our new house of worship as the foundation of our complex.
• A fully-functional school, built to serve both our parish and a future charter school. Realizing the need and the value of excellence in public education, we have arranged to partner with Advanced Education Services of California, to build and operate a Charter School. On evenings and weekends, the school rooms will also be used for Sunday School and adult educational opportunities.
• A Multi-purpose fellowship hall, to be used as a gymnasium and cafeteria for the school, as well as for church-related social events (such as Sunday coffee hour) including our annual Greek festival. In addition, the hall will be available for our youth to enjoy indoor sports and fellowship events.
• An office building necessary for the administrative needs of our church complex and growing community, with meetings rooms for various parish organizations such as the Parish Council, Philoptochos and youth ministries, a reception area, and offices for clergy, this building will also include an expanded library and parish bookstore for the benefit of parishioners and visitors.

Fund Raising Plan

The cost estimate to build the entire complex, based on the Preliminary Master Plan, is between $6.6 and $8.7 Million. The most cost-effective plan would be to build the complex in a single phase. In July 2007, our parish contracted with the Archdiocese Office of Parish Development to assist in the development of a Capital Fund-raising Campaign. When the results of the campaign are known, the decision to build in one, or in multiple, phases will be made.

After the initial quiet period, during which we seek to raise major leadership gifts, every family in our parish will have the opportunity and privilege to participate in this historic and vital project. Each family—children, parents and grandparents—will be asked to contribute, either from cash gifts, appreciated assets or three-year pledges, according to their means and desires. We are asking for gifts of equal sacrifice, not equal amounts; to contribute, with faith and boldness, toward the building of our new church complex, our future church home.

Visitors to our website who wish to contribute to our Building Fund may do so by going to the Parish Pay section of our web site.

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