Eco-friendly church earns attraction

The mantra of eco-friendly building is in the air and it seems that everyone is trying to chant it to avert the present crisis and have new but profitable building projects (thanks to the need of less investments). But there is a dilemma. Though the notion of eco-friendly building has come to the fore in the realm of United States, there’re lots of speculations regarding it till now. For this mere reason among the bulk of organizations, be it in the sphere of real estate sector or simply well-known building contractors, a hesitation persists. When the atmosphere is so wary, credit goes to a church in North Carolina who has taken an unusual step in this context.

Well, it is the Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, in the state of North Carolina, located in southeastern United States, which has made the difference and taken the noble approach. Pullen Memorial Baptist Church is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2009 and hence come up with a new eco-friendly building addition. According to the information, this new concept is going to be beneficial in several respects. It is heard that it will ease overcrowding, allow for expanded missions and establish a strong architectural presence along a prominent business and cultural thoroughfare in Raleigh, N.C.

What makes the church adopt this decision? The only reason, apart from celebration, is the burgeoning membership. When the whole world is abiding by the principles of materialism, the reverse is happening here. According to the church website, more than 200 people have joined Pullen Memorial since 2000, and that has brought the church membership to 700 and active participants to more than 1,000. In this context youth and children make up a large part of the growth.

The new building cost $3.7 million. A three-year capital campaign raised $2.2 million in gifts and pledges. An unexpected bequest in 2008 left just 20 percent of total costs to be financed with a bank loan.