Master Plan

Master Plan Update

At our Annual Meeting in March, the Master Planning Committee shared initial concepts for the future of our campus. Many of you have since reviewed those presentations on the MDPC website.

But Then This Happened...a member of our congregation generously offered to fully fund an outside review of our Master Plan work by two additional architectural firms. Their involvement—alongside Merriman Holt Powell—means three of Houston’s architectural firms will study our facilities over the next four months.

Why this matters: 

  • Fresh ideas: Having multiple firms weigh in allows us to explore different creative solutions and identify the best options.
  • No cost to MDPC’s budget: The review is covered entirely by a donation through the Legacy Program.
  • Stronger outcome: We will be able to combine the strongest elements from all three firms into the final Master Plan.
  • Timeline unchanged: This additional review step should not significantly delay the overall schedule.

Why a Master Plan?

This is not the church it once was. Though our core values are the same as when MDPC was established in 1955 - commitment to prayer, radical generosity, and a simple but strong faith in the "God of Possibilities" - our building is a far cry from the un-air conditioned cafeteria of Memorial Drive Elementary, where our first service was held.

God's firm guiding hand has shepherded us through building a Sanctuary/Fellowship Hall, then a larger Sanctuary, then Ministry Center expansions, then our Church Life Center. Every step has been in the service of the Kingdom, enabling more ministry to more people in more places.

Now, we again are looking to the future. What steps can we take to continue to invite in our neighbors without reservation? The MDPC family now encompasses Fuente and BPC ministries and offers worship space to a 4300+ congregation. Our weekday schools are booming and our Sunday schools compete for space. How do we address these wonderful blessings masquerading as problems?

Since the summer of 2024, our Master Planning Committee, made up of MDPC staff and lay leadership, has been gathering information about what may be our options. No decisions have been made regarding possible alterations to the MDPC campus – we first want our congregation’s input and reactions. Below you will find information on possible expansions/renovations that will poise us for our 75th anniversary in 2030 and, most importantly, prepare us for future faithful service in Christ’s Name. 

Master Planning Committee Charter

Looking forward to the next 25 years, develop a plan to provide campus improvements that reflect MDPC’s Strategic Guiding Priorities to advance The Great Commandments and the Great Commission through the Four Pillars of Community, Evangelism, Formation, and Outreach. Should you have questions, please feel free to contact the committee at .

Mar 2 Annual Meeting

At the annual meeting, a presentation was made to the MDPC congregation by the committee and our architects, Merriman Holt. A video of that presentation is posted below.

The MDPC Master Planning Committee continues working diligently toward future plans and possibilities for the MDPC campus of the future. Our next congregational meeting will likely be Sep 2025.

Presentations

Sun, Mar 2 Annual Meeting

Architects' Presentation Slides

Goals

Strategic Goals of Proposed Plan

Across All Pillars

  • As good stewards of the campus, make spaces to support multiple functions with improved intuitive technology, maintenance-friendly materials, energy efficient systems, necessary infrastructure updates, and flexible furnishings.
  • Optimize the development potential of the church's property by considering multi-story structures, while respecting MDPC's architectural heritage and working within the city's site coverage and height limitations. 

Connection/Community

  • Create a gracious Welcome/Fellowship Hall that becomes a clear and inviting main entrance to MDPC, orients visitors and members alike, and promotes sharing time with Christ.
  • Clearly organize ministry areas to reduce travel time and promote collaboration.

Evangelism/Conversations

  • Create a gracious Welcome/Fellowship Hall that becomes a clear and inviting main entrance to MDPC, orients visitors and members alike, and promotes sharing time with Christ.

Formation/Discipleship

  • Provide a highly flexible 400 - 500 capacity space with adjacent small group rooms to support growing worship services and large attendance teaching opportunities.
  • Create exciting and secure Children’s spaces, while aligning enrollment potential between the Little School and Yellow School to continue to attract young families. Consolidate Youth breakout rooms and foster Youth engagement with the broader MDPC community.

Service/Outreach

  • Improve facilities for radically generous outreach to meet the local and global needs, while also aiming to equip all believers in volunteerism and loving generously.

 

FAQs

Why are we doing a MasterPlan at this time?

Looking forward to the next 25 years, the committee is working to develop a plan to provide campus improvements that reflect MDPC’s Strategic Guiding Priorities to advance The Great Commandments and the Great Commission through the Four Pillars of Community, Evangelism, Formation, and Outreach. A Master Plan is a living document that is periodically updated to align with MDPC’s vision. MDPC’s last update to the Master Plan was completed in 1999 and the last large addition was the CLC in 2001. An update to the Master Plan is necessary at this time to anticipate MDPC’s growing ministry needs.

How are the needs being determined and prioritized?

Members of the Master Plan committee and our architects interviewed representatives from MDPC ministries and on campus outreach partners to determine their current and long-term space needs. These were then summarized into a campus wide space program that is being used as the basis of the Master Plan design. Priority is being given to spaces that can be multipurpose and used by multiple ministries. The committee is also concentrating on addressing concerns with the oldest parts of the campus.

When will the Master Plan design be completed? What happens after?

The Master Plan will be completed September 2025. It will be important to align the project scope to budget. The entire scope of the Master Plan could exceed the financial capacity of the church, and in which case the work could be phased. The Master Plan will include conceptual plans for a proposed Phase One project and subsequent phases of work. After the Master Plan is approved, the church may choose to pursue the design and construction of the Phase One project.

Will the church remain operational during construction?

Yes. The committee is sensitive to the disruption construction can cause and will aim to minimize the impact on church operations as much as possible. The committee will weigh the financial implications of lengthening the construction schedule or phasing the project against the effects on church life.

Will the Master Plan include new buildings, renovations, or both?

Likely both. The Master Plan will look to optimize the development potential of the property, while working within Bunker Hill’s site coverage limitations and being a good neighbor. This will likely focus on replacing the oldest structures and renovating the more recent additions. Our facilities team has conducted assessments of the existing structures, HVAC equipment, and other deferred maintenance items, which will be considered in the Master Plan design

What is the anticipated timing for a Phase One Project?

If MDPC decides to continue with a Phase One project, the design could begin around January 2026, with construction estimated to start in the fall of 2027. With this schedule, the Phase One project would be completed by MDPC’s 75th anniversary in 2030.

How would the phase one project be funded?

The committee plans to engage a Fundraising Consultant to conduct a Feasibility Study in the fall of 2025, prior to a potential Capital Campaign in the spring of 2026. The committee will align scope to budget, as needed, based on the results of the Feasibility Study. A rule of thumb for establishing the budget for church projects is about 3 times the church’s annual operating budget.

What is the plan for the courtyards?

The courtyards let in natural light and contribute greatly to the character of the campus. The Little School’s courtyard and the Sanctuary’s courtyard are well-loved, but the Chapel’s courtyard has been identified as an underutilized asset that needs activation.

What is happening to the Scout House?

There is currently no plan to replace the Scout House as part of a Phase One project. To optimize capacity, Scout spaces will be multipurpose when they are replaced in the future.

What is the plan for the Fuente Spanish-language and BPC (Brazilian presbyterian church) Portuguese-language congregations?

Both groups were interviewed by the committee and our architects. The Master Plan explores how MDPC can accommodate Fuente’s and BPC’s growth on campus, and open its doors to other multicultural congregations.

What will happen to the Sanctuary and Chapel?

Any refreshments made in the Sanctuary and Chapel will preserve the architectural character that the congregation values.

What will happen to the Food Pantry?

MDPC continues to be dedicated to the success of the Food Pantry and the committee is studying strategic locations for it on campus.

What is happening to the Little School and Yellow school?

One of the Master Plan goals is to align the enrollment potential between the Little School and Yellow School. To be good stewards of space, the Master Plan aims to increase shared space utilization between both schools and the Children’s ministry.

Is technology being considered in the Master Plan?

The committee’s goal is to incorporate consistent and intuitive plug-and-play technology across campus in classrooms, multipurpose spaces, and worship venues.

 

 

 

Meet the Committee

Master Planning Committee Members

Mike Handel (Chair)
Cheryl Moore (Vice-Chair)
Carter Bliss (Facilities)
Alf Halvorson   (Senior Pastor)
Amy Harrington  (Land Acquisitions)   
Christyn Knoop (Children & Former Staff)
Michael McCormack (Generosity & Young Adult)
Bill McDonald  (The Scouts)
Josie Pielop (Youth & New Members)
Marcus Vajdos (Staff)
Regina Verona (BPC)
Merriman Holt Powell (Architects)