Make a difference
Contribute today for generations to come…
Together, we are building a new church home where faith will flourish for generations to come.
Artistic Rendering of Potential Church Design
(not the final design)
Capital Campaign Update (June 26, 2026)
We only need another $254,098 in pledges to reach our stretch goal of $3.5 million! If you have not yet pledged, please prayerfully consider to participate in our Capital Campaign to increase the seating capacity of our church and upgrade our 46-year old HVAC system so that we can continue to worship comfortably, especially during these hot summer months. Please contact Deacon Mark to make a pledge or increase your existing pledge.
Additionally, we have received $1,998,770 in cash, or 114% of our cash goal, from one-time cash donations, payment on pledges, Spanish Community second collections, food sales, and the Yard Sale. Thank you all who have and continue to support our Capital Campaign!
Now that we’ve exceeded the cash goal of $1,750,000, do we still need to achieve the pledge goal of $3,500,000?
In short, yes. Here’s why…
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond has established the Building and Renovation Commission (BARC) “...to guide the parishes and schools in the Diocese of Richmond in the construction of new facilities, the renovation of existing ones, and to advise the bishop on matters related to buildings and properties, as well as other issues that may be referred to the commission” (BARC Manual p. 1). BARC must approve construction projects >$250,000 and the bishop, after hearing from BARC, must approve construction projects >$1 million (BARC Manual p. 6). Additionally, the Diocesan Office of Worship must approve construction and/or renovation of sacred spaces, such as a church, to ensure that the renovated church meets current liturgical norms (per Code of Canon Law no. 1216; BARC Manual p. 4 and pp. 24-31).
To approve major construction projects, such as our planned renovation of the church, the Catholic Diocese of Richmond requires that the parish demonstrates the financial means to pay for the construction project. The Diocese will authorize and provide a guarantee for a commercial loan up to one-third of the cost of the project “...amortized over a period not to exceed 15 years” (BARC Manual p. 6). Thus, the parish must finance two-thirds of the cost of the project prior to approval by BARC. The parish portion of the financing may consist of pledges, but at least half of the pledge amount must be available as cash to demonstrate that the parish would have the means to finance the project.
The Parish Financial Feasibility Study (defined as Phase 4, Step 1 in the BARC Manual p. 10) conducted in 2024 suggested that Incarnation Parish could raise $3 million as a solid goal and $3.5 million as a stretch goal (report available in English and Spanish). The stretch goal would support a construction project of up to $5.2 million. Preliminary cost estimates placed the church renovation cost at ~$5 million, so the decision was made by the Parish to initiate a Capital Campaign (defined as Phase 5 in the BARC Manual p. 13) seeking $3.5 million in pledges to be collected over a period of up to 5 years. Then, at the end of 5 years, all of the pledges will have been collected as cash. The Capital Campaign was initiated in mid-2025 with the goal of a commitment from parishioners of at least $3.5 million in pledges with half converted to cash, or $1.75 million, leaving up to $1.75 million as unpaid pledges. Then, the Parish would seek a commercial loan of $1.5 million to support the estimated $5 million project.
Hence, for final approval of the project by BARC, the Parish needs to demonstrate the capability to raise $3.5 million as a combination of unpaid pledges and cash. Any cash collected in support of the Capital Campaign adds to the Parish’s ability to demonstrate that we can finance the project. The cash collected and cash from the loan will be used to pay the architect, the construction company, permitting fees, etc. as expenses are incurred. And, in fact, some of the money collected has already been used for the initial stages of the project, particularly for fees for the architect to generate cost estimates, prepare reports for BARC, etc. The Finance Council routinely reviews these expenses.
As of 26 June 2026, $2.0 million has been collected in cash from all sources including: payment on pledges, one-time contributions, Spanish community second collections, Spanish community food sales, the Yard Sale, and Filipino community fundraising. Parishioner generosity has allowed us to exceed the $1.75 million requirement for cash! If, in the end, cash received exceeds the $3.5 million pledge stretch goal, the “extra” cash could be used to reduce the amount of money needed for the loan or to pay back the loan sooner.
Keep the pledges coming! We have collected $3,245,902 of the $3.5 million stretch goal in pledges, leaving a balance of $254,098 in pledges yet to be collected. If you have not yet pledged and you have the means, please prayerfully consider a pledge of $5000 to $10,000 (or more!) payable over 3 or 5 years. Help us build our spiritual home for the next 50 years!
Capital Campaign Update (March 2, 2026)
The HVAC in the church has once again failed. While we frantically scour the country for parts for an HVAC unit that is no longer manufactured, this is the perfect time to remember what is driving the need for the Capital Campaign—our failing HVAC system that is original to the church building from 1980. If this had happened during warmer weather, we would be unable the hold Mass in the Worship Center due to high temperatures inside the building. This latest incident pointedly highlights the urgency to reach our pledge goal of $3,500,000, which we need another $350,000 in pledges to attain.
If you have not yet pledged, now is a good time. You can make a one-time pledge/contribution, or pledge over 3 or 5 years. Many people have made direct contributions from their retirement accounts resulting in tax savings for themselves. Please stop by the Office during the week 8:30 - 4:30 or reach out to Deacon Mark (markd@incarnationparish.org).
Parish-wide Gathering Meetings (March 2025)
Parish-wide gatherings were held in the Parish Hall over 2 evenings with the Spanish (March 11) and English (March 25) communities to get input separately on what each community considered the most important aspects to inform Parish leadership for the church renovation project. Nearly 200 parishioners attended. The gatherings used a synodal format where each table was given a set of questions to discuss. A recorder documented the discussion and presented the findings to the entire group. The notes from each table were collected and combined. A summary of the outcome of the discussions was distributed in the bulletin.
A combined summary of the output of the 2 gatherings is provided here.
Financial Feasibility Study (November-December 2024)
On behalf of Incarnation Parish, Greater Mission, LLC conducted a Financial Feasibility Study for a proposed Capital Campaign. The study consisted of input from parishioners through individual interviews, a parish-wide meeting (November 18), and an online survey, representing 12% of the registered households in the parish at that time. The summary report from the Financial Feasibility Study was distributed in the bulletin and can be found here (in English) and here (in Spanish). Based on the study, a pledge goal of $3 million was supported with a stretch goal of $3.5 million (though the report presented that potentially $4 million could be raised in pledges, but this was reduced to $3.5 million for the purposes of the Capital Campaign).
Capital Campaign FAQs
-
The plan redesigns the interior of the Church by moving the Sanctuary to the current rear of the Church, making a new entrance where the current Sanctuary sits, adding a central aisle that leads from the new entrance door to the Altar, reconfiguring the pews to enable additional seating, and adding kneelers. The slope of the current floor will be leveled matching the outside ground level. A new, higher roof line will be installed to accommodate the leveling of the floor, which will provide for more natural lighting and better sight lines.
The renovation will provide an additional 120-150 seats, bringing the seating capacity of the Worship Center to over 600. A new Narthex is planned on the parking lot side of the Worship Center providing a new entrance, gathering space, vesting Sacristy, Confessionals, and 2 single-use restrooms.
-
Current plans are to keep the interior of the Church simple as can be seen by the architectural rendering.
The new space will include a Crucifix hanging above the Altar, and statues of Our Lady of Guadalupe and of St. Joseph consistent with Catholic sacred art norms. A statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe, such as we have in the current space, is very important to a significant portion of our community and would be included in the new space.
-
The Parish Hall can seat approximately 400 for Mass. The Stone Chapel can seat approximately 100 for Mass.
Masses will be held simultaneously in the Parish Hall and in the Stone Chapel.
To manage the needs of the Parish during the renovation, additional Masses may need to be added temporarily based on availability of priests. -
In the mid 1970’s Bishop Sullivan separated Holy Comforter, which was located both downtown and at Branchlands. Town meetings were held so the parishioners could have a say in how to design the new church. Fr. Frank Kacmarcik [1920 -2004], a well known liturgical consultant, visited our parish and educated us about changes in church liturgy, as described in some of the documents of Vatican II. We went through an extensive consideration of various models of church using a book by Father Avery Dulles, SJ as a guide. We also consulted the guidelines for church architecture which were published by the conference of Catholic Bishops.
Charlottesville’s population was growing with many people moving here from other states. This small southern town had to find a way to adapt to many changes and It became important for the newcomers to feel welcome.
After many meetings we came to the strong belief that we are a community gathered around a table celebrating the Word and the Eucharist. We wanted an architecture that emphasized our gathering around the table. This is what we have now. It has served us well. [courtesy of Herb Ely]
For others who were here at the beginning of our Parish wish to provide their experience with the beginning of Church of the Incarnation, please send a paragraph or two to Deacon Mark (markd@incarnationparish.org) and we will continue to educate others on our rich Parish history.
Testimonials
“The parish is more than a church building. It is a place where our families belong.”
Dr. Sarah Jones
“The Capital Campaign is about updating our infrastructure in the church, but also about building for the future. As we reach our 50th year as a Parish in 2026, we are looking to prepare our church for the next 50 years!”
Deacon Mark De Rosch
Our Worship Center was thoughtfully and lovingly designed 50 years ago. It has served our community well as we fulfill our mission to “Know, Love, Serve and Proclaim our Lord, Jesus Christ”
We can’t take the next step without your participation.”
Kathi Gruss
