Annandale church has space to share
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| United Baptist Church as seen from Columbia Pike. |
If you are part of an organization that benefits the
community in some way and needs space to hold meetings or classes, United Baptist Church in Annandale has space available.
Like many churches, United Baptist has seen its congregation
decline over the years – from a peak of nearly 800 to about 300 today –
and wants to put its vacant spaces to good use.
decline over the years – from a peak of nearly 800 to about 300 today –
and wants to put its vacant spaces to good use.
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| The gym entrance and classrooms |
The church building, at 7100 Columbia Pike, has 45,000
square feet of space, including a sanctuary that seats 600, a gym, a small
chapel, a fellowship hall that seats 210, offices, and classrooms.
square feet of space, including a sanctuary that seats 600, a gym, a small
chapel, a fellowship hall that seats 210, offices, and classrooms.
Rev. Dr. Wayne Yawn would like that space to be used by
organizations that “meet authentic human needs.”
organizations that “meet authentic human needs.”
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| A classroom |
The church has in the past rented space to
smaller churches, but they tend to want the building on Sunday mornings when United
Baptist is at its busiest, says Rev. Dr. Wayne Yawn. And that’s a problem
because the facility only has 87 parking spaces. He would like to see groups
that serve the public use the building Mondays through Saturdays.
smaller churches, but they tend to want the building on Sunday mornings when United
Baptist is at its busiest, says Rev. Dr. Wayne Yawn. And that’s a problem
because the facility only has 87 parking spaces. He would like to see groups
that serve the public use the building Mondays through Saturdays.
The church was established in 1942. After World War II, when
Annandale saw a surge in development, the churches grew, too, says Yawn, who’s
served as pastor for 27 years. As more housing was built further out from D.C.,
members spun off three new churches – Braddock Baptist, Ravensworth Baptist,
and Parkwood Baptist.
Annandale saw a surge in development, the churches grew, too, says Yawn, who’s
served as pastor for 27 years. As more housing was built further out from D.C.,
members spun off three new churches – Braddock Baptist, Ravensworth Baptist,
and Parkwood Baptist.
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| The entrance to the sanctuary |
The building already houses a childcare program and the
NorthStar Network, an organization that aids Baptist churches in Northern
Virginia.
NorthStar Network, an organization that aids Baptist churches in Northern
Virginia.
A vocal teacher will start holding lessons at the church
soon. Several groups already meet there, including TOPS (Take Off Pounds
Sensibly), another weight loss group, an exercise group, and Toastmasters.
soon. Several groups already meet there, including TOPS (Take Off Pounds
Sensibly), another weight loss group, an exercise group, and Toastmasters.
The Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield holds
luncheons there sometimes, the Royal Court HOA meets there every other month,
teachers at the AACCA Child Development Center have professional development
sessions there, and the Annandale Boys and Girls Club uses the gym for soccer
practice in the winter.
luncheons there sometimes, the Royal Court HOA meets there every other month,
teachers at the AACCA Child Development Center have professional development
sessions there, and the Annandale Boys and Girls Club uses the gym for soccer
practice in the winter.
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| The gym |
The rent for using the space will be less than the going
rate, Yawn says. “Some of our groups do not pay anything,” he notes, “but the
rent could end up being a sizable amount.” The rent would be set on a sliding
scale, depending on what the group can afford, although the church does have to
charge enough to cover utilities and building maintenance.
rate, Yawn says. “Some of our groups do not pay anything,” he notes, “but the
rent could end up being a sizable amount.” The rent would be set on a sliding
scale, depending on what the group can afford, although the church does have to
charge enough to cover utilities and building maintenance.
“We’re not trying to make money on it, we’re trying to help
people,” Yawn says. “Jesus never intended that people build churches, he called
on individuals to be temples of God and to meet human needs.”
people,” Yawn says. “Jesus never intended that people build churches, he called
on individuals to be temples of God and to meet human needs.”
Anyone interested in space at United Baptist should contact
Pam Moyer, 703-256-5900, [email protected].
Pam Moyer, 703-256-5900, [email protected].
The decline of church attendance has been a persistent problem for most churches. But now, it's nice to know that we're finding alternative ways to reap revenues.
Most churches have a lot of space to spare. These unused spaces, especially during non-church services, can help grow and sustain the church's presence in the community. Have you tried promoting this via email or other forms of social media? This could really raise the visibility and maybe even grow your congregation.