The Need

Christ & Saint Stephen’s Faith in Our Future campaign will restore our historic church, strengthen our ministries, and ensure a vibrant and welcoming parish for years to come.

For generations, our parish has been an active presence on the Upper West Side—serving, welcoming, and building connections. A successful Faith in Our Future campaign will allow us not only to sustain these vital ministries, but also to expand them.

Today, our outreach includes:

• Worship and Pastoral Care: Weddings, funerals, and other services to our community.
• Brown Bag lunch program for over 30 years!
• A welcoming church garden.
• Our landmark church, cherished for its beauty and exceptional acoustics, serves as a venue for concerts, theater productions, and a home for the arts.
• Our facilities host 12-step meetings six days a week.
• We remain proud partners in community life with the W. 69th Street Block Association.
• We are co-founders of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger and the Jericho Project, providing housing and services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families.

We are gaining momentum…

• New leaders are energizing our congregation and increasing our visibility in the neighborhood.
• New energy, a joyful buzz: we are ready to make the Faith in Our Future campaign a success!
  

Our capital campaign projects include:

HVAC Heat Pump System

Our decades-old heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is failing, with temporary repairs no longer sufficient to ensure safety and reliability. The outdated system has also caused leaks, damaging the ceiling of the nave.

A modern heat pump system will:

• Provide efficient, reliable heating and cooling year-round
• Protect our treasured Schoenstein organ by stabilizing temperature and humidity
• Reduce our environmental impact

Estimated cost: $240,000

Reserve Fund for Ongoing Capital Needs

Any capital campaign funds remaining after completing the HVAC project will be placed in a dedicated Reserve Fund to support future repairs and upgrades. Stewardship of our landmark church, brownstone townhouse, and garden requires ongoing care. The Reserve Fund will ensure we have the resources to maintain our sacred and historic home.

• Reserve Fund goal if primary goal is reached: $260,000
• Reserve Fund goal if challenge goal is reached: $360,000
  

This campaign is more than a construction project — it is a commitment to faithful stewardship.