FRANKLIN FELLOWSHIP BUILDS GREEN SANCTUARY

After five years of planning, fund raising and construction, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin, N.C. held its Inaugural Service in its new sanctuary on Sierra Drive in Franklin. One hundred and one members, friends and guests of all ages gathered for a heartwarming, multimedia service and celebration just before Thanksgiving on November 23, 2008.

For those entering the church grounds for the first time that day, the new facility didn’t appear to be an ordinary church. For one thing, its circular. And once they took a closer look they quickly realized that there are few buildings quite like it.

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The new church is a model of environmentally responsible design, sustainable building, and energy-saving systems. The shell was manufactured by Deltec Homes of Asheville and placed on an energy efficient, pre-cast lower-level and foundation. Other elements include environmentally-friendly spray-foam insulation to seal and preserve thermal mass; energy-efficient lighting; features to reduce the need for cooling, lighting and daytime artificial lighting; and Energy Star appliances, among other features.

But the commitment to sustainability doesn’t end with the building itself. The same environmentally-sound concepts are being applied to the landscaping, rain water collection system, and even the parking, traffic and walkways surrounding the building. Other sustainable elements in the planning stages include solar electric and thermal systems, electric car docking systems, and more.

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The Franklin Fellowship was one of the first Green Sanctuary Congregations to be accredited—a distinction for which its members are justly proud. Naturally, they plan for their new facility to be among the first churches in the nation to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, considered by the U.S. Green Building Council to be the benchmark for design, construction and operation of high performance buildings.

Ground breaking for the new facility occurred almost exactly 12 months ago in November 2007. When fully completed, it will have over 5000 square feet on two levels. The sanctuary level is fully complete. The lower level will house a social hall with a full service kitchen. Each level will seat approximately 150.

The Franklin Fellowship was chartered in 1974 and purchased an abandoned residence as its first home in 1982. Lay-led, its current membership stands at 71. Adapting and expanding its Fellowship Hall over the years, the congregation underwent a growth spurt in 2006 and soon reached capacity. And with the growing numbers of young families, the new sanctuary opened its doors at a most opportune time.