Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City to break ground on new church

Later this month, members of Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City will break ground on the congregation's first new church in more than 100 years.

With the groundbreaking on April 22, Earth Day, it's only fitting the future church aims to be entirely powered by on-site renewable energy - free of combustion power.

Kirk Witzberger, member of the UUSIC board of trustees and chair of the new facilities committee, said the decision to pursue the 'Greenest Church in Iowa” fits perfectly with one of the congregations seven principles - 'respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

'We needed a new place, if we're going to live this principle, and we do, how do we manifest that in the new building?,” Witzberger said. 'We were lucky enough to connect with Neumann Monson Architects and find a way to make that so.”

Iowa City's Neumann Monson Architects designed the church, planned for 2355 Oakdale Road in Coralville. It will include more than 400 solar panels, a geothermal system and efficient lighting and mechanical systems to reduce energy consumption, according to a Monday news release.

The facility also will include natural daylight features, permeable grass pavers and rain gardens to filter stormwater.

'The congregation desired a design that is organic in both form and function. We are honored to be part of creating that vision and are delighted this notable building is located in our community,” Matt Krieger, Project Architect with Neumann Monson, said in the release.

With a roughly 12-month time frame, the approximately $6 million church is planned to open within a month or so of Earth Day 2017.

'That would be ideal,” Witzberger said.

As the congregation comes closer to relocating out of Iowa City and into Coralville, Witzberger said society officials are confident members are up for the move.

'There have been five different votes to get us to this point, we've had over 91 percent or higher approval on every vote,” he said. 'The buy-in is there because people have been included, they've been involved and they've been a part of the process.” Last year, UUSIC signed a $600,000 purchase agreement for 5.5 acres of Coralville land and closed a sale of the former church at 10 S. Gilbert St. Society officials estimated the downtown building to be sold for more than $2 million.

The more than 100-year-old building on Gilbert Street is planned for preservation. New property owner Jesse Allen, of Allen Homes, is pursuing development on adjacent property, while maintaining the historic sanctuary.