Building a Wider Welcome
First Presbyterian Church of Asheville is committed to being a vibrant downtown congregation where we experience the boundary-breaking love of Christ through radical hospitality, deep relationships, and shared ministry.
Following a period of renewal and intergenerational growth, we are looking to the future with hope and confidence.
In the spring of 2026, the Building a Wider Welcome campaign raised $5.2 million to invest in the future of this congregation and its ministry and mission—and work is already underway! Check this space for updates on construction and improvements as they happen.
Last updated Sept. 2, 2026
46 Aston St.
Narthex & Commons Renovation
Facility Essentials & Deferred Maintenance
Financial Update
46 Aston Street
Status: Leased short-term for income while long-term use is discerned
During the week, Child Care Center staff use this lot, freeing up spaces for church activities and rental in the Lexington Ave. lot.
Over the summer, the parking lot was seal coated, re-striped, and the spaces re-numbered, creating a more attractive and safer experience for everyone using the lot. Additional lighting will be installed by Duke Energy this fall.
The spaces behind the building are currently under lease to The Restoration Hotel for a valet contract. That lease income helps offset the debt service on the loan used to purchase the property.
At the September retreat, the Session reaffirmed its desire to lease the building itself to a tenant with simple needs, such as storage or office space, preferably on a 12-month renewable contract. The goal is to generate 2–3 years of lease income while the church proceeds with other renovation and maintenance priorities and develops a long-term vision for the building. Likewise Commercial Realty has the listing.
- Parking lot resurfacing and re-striping: complete
- Valet lease with The Restoration Hotel: active, offsetting debt service
- Building lease: Session reaffirmed short-term leasing strategy (September retreat)
- Long-term vision for the building: a task force is being created to discern
Narthex & Commons Renovation
Status: In the design and engineering phase
In June the session selected Beverly Grant as the General Contractor. In addition to presenting the most comprehensive and cost-efficient proposal, the church has used them before on major renovations had been very pleased.
SKA Engineering has been contracted for Phase 1: a detailed evaluation of the renovation’s engineering needs, including structural and HVAC systems. That work is currently in progress.
Meanwhile, John Yurko of Yurko Studio Architecture is fine-tuning designs, vendors, and cost estimates in conversation with the engineer. We expect this work to continue through the fall.
Once final plans and costs are in hand, the project will move into the permitting phase. We do not yet have a firm construction timeline, but we hope to see construction in the first half of 2027. Beverly Grant is committed to maintaining sanctuary access during all phases of construction.
- Phase 1 engineering evaluation (structural, HVAC): in progress
- Architectural design and cost estimation: ongoing through fall
- Permitting: next step, after plans and costs are finalized
- Construction: no firm date yet; hoped-for target is the first half of 2027
Facility Essentials & Deferred Maintenance
Status: Moving forward on key projects
Antique windows in the choir room were replaced in the Spring. Job done!
Installation of a multi-split HVAC system in the Education Building is slated to begin this fall, updating climate control there. This will happen one floor at a time, and we expect it to happen with minimal disruption to ministries in that building.
The Session also wants to move forward with replacement of the parking lot elevator as soon as possible, on a timeline designed to minimize disruption to church ministries.
- Education Building multi-split HVAC system: installation begins this fall
- Parking lot elevator replacement: Session wants to proceed soon; timeline still being set for minimal
disruption.
Financial Update
Status: Strong early receipt of pledged gifts
Of the $5.2 million committed to the campaign, over $1.7 million has already been received.
On the strength of this extraordinary generosity, the Session is moving forward with confidence. The Finance Committee is currently developing a plan to make the best use of these resources — accomplishing what we can now, minimizing interest expense on our debt, and ensuring funds are ready when construction on the Commons and Narthex begins.
- Total committed: $5.2 million
- Received to date: $1.7 million
- Finance Committee: developing a plan to sequence spending, minimize interest expense, and prepare for construction