It’s been quite a journey over the last couple of years as we have worked to promote the spiritual life at Tryon Estates and the Chapel initiative as well as to enhance understanding among residents, families, staff, and our community partners. Some of you may not be aware of the background and work that has taken place to make our Chapel a reality. Much of this work began in 2017 with discussions involving our former Chaplain, Tim Willis; Ray Boyle from the Legacy Foundation; and a small focus group of residents.  

Later, as the idea gained support, an important step was to garner more resident input. In early February 2018, the HunterKempson Consulting Group conducted a feasibility study with interviews with residents and staff members. In mid-April 2018, residents were invited to a volunteer planning meeting. The purpose was to present highlights of the feasibility study and to discuss campaign planning and work groups of volunteer residents needed for the project to be a success. 

A campaign committee with three subcommittees comprised of Resident Ambassador volunteers (pictured above) was formed. They met weekly to discuss our Chapel, spiritual life history, and the mission, and they worked to address opportunities for better service. The proposed architectural plans were reviewed, and fundraising campaign ideas such as hall parties and vendor/community letters were ironed out to give everyone an opportunity to ask questions about the campaign and new Chapel.  

A major product from the Ambassadors’ work was a communications packet to begin fundraising. We celebrated our Sharing the Faith campaign with a Vespers service, which included special guests, held in the multipurpose room on July 22 with a reception afterwards in our new lobby. Working with Colleen Wilson from the Legacy Foundation, the Resident Ambassadors sent thank you notes, gave testimonies, stuffed envelopes, answered questions, and updated the campaign progress as we exceeded our goal by raising more than $412,000. A celebration reception was held January 10, 2019, to thank residents and acknowledge that more than 50 percent of the residents participated. Funds from residents comprised 93 percent of the donations, with another 4 percent from the staff and 3 percent from community partners. Donations that are not spent, as well as future donations, will remain in a dedicated TE Chapel account managed by the Legacy Foundation for long-term needs.  

The Chapel was designed and built to be an Interfaith space for worship, meditation, study, and prayer for Tryon Estates residents. Many thanks and blessings to all for helping make it possible. The chapel was opened and dedicated with our Board of Directors on March 28.   

—Submitted by Chaplain Kevin Lynch & the Mountain Views newsletter