This resource presents historical background related to the December, 2005 relocation of the Autumn Ridge Church congregation from 16th Street, SW in Rochester, Minnesota, to 60 acres of property on Salem Road. The strategic site lies on the growing southwest side of the city.  In its Autumn Ridge Church facility on Salem Road, the congregation marks a renewed commitment to Christian ministry in Rochester, southeast Minnesota, and the world.

First Baptist Church was founded in 1857 as the first church of any kind in the Rochester area. Through the ensuing years, the congregation enthusiastically embraced five physical relocations in order to improve its ability to serve the people of Rochester and the world. These moves also steadily repositioned the church for outreach, and provided increased space for worship, education, and service. The strategic congregational decision in 2002 to purchase new land and initiate a sixth relocation continues in this tradition. The people of First Baptist Church in Rochester again responded to God's call to share the message of his love with the world, starting with their own families and neighborhoods. 

The timeline of strategic planning for 2005 relations indicates a prayerful response to exponential congregational growth over more than 150 years.

In the fall of 2002, a Building Implementation Committee (BIC) was formed to oversee the planning and implementation of the church campus on Salem Road. The BIC met almost 100 times over three years. The committee sought to make the planning and construction process as honoring to God as the facility itself. The theme “not for us” embodied the notion that the new building was an investment for future friends, neighbors, and generations. In fact the “Imagine a Place…” fund-raising theme emphasized the scriptural notion that one generation has the opportunity and responsibility to proclaim Christ's forgiveness to the next.  The theme, "Imagine a place where generations will come to know him" sought to capture the flavor of Psalm 78:5-7, which reads:

He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.  - NIV

BIC established capacity allocations that reflected the strategic goals of new space in meeting growing needs of worship, kids ministry, student ministry, adult education, and fellowship. A staged plan was then developed to increase total capacity while maintaining the current ministry balance in both an initial Phase One project, and in the master plan for the new site.

Facility Features
* 73,300 square feet in phase one
* Preservation of ministry balance
* Spacious, functional, attractive sanctuary
* Backstage ministry and storage facilities
* Common Grounds, Kitchen, Narthex
* Christos BookCenter
* Windows, high ceilings, open interiors
* Grand staircase and elevator
* Pedestrian skybridge entry to level 2
* Multi-use spaces on two levels
* Integrated kids ministry suite
* Upper level HS-adult ed classrooms
* Upper level cafe and balcony above narthex
* Upper level administrative offices
* An initial facility that anchors master plan design
* Prairie theme in landscaping
* Multi-use site including ponds, prairie restoration, wetland preserve, agriculture

The Salem Road site comprises 60 acres, 6.82 of which are designated a seasonal wetland preserve. Together with a system of retention ponds to manage runoff from paved surfaces, these water features will create and sustain the diverse natural ecology of this notable site. An ancient prairie that once was the domain of herds of bison, the property remains a seasonal home for migratory shorebirds as well as hundreds of species of wildlife and plants.

The site plan indicates Phase One and includes an outline of the final master plan building dimensions. The Phase One building occupies 1.28 acres, featuring a large worship and fellowship building connected to a two-level education and administration building. The lovely Timothy Chapel is positioned at the end of a Romanesque colonnade, outlining an interior lobby in the master plan.  First and second floor designs indicate major ministry areas. The schematic elevation provides an additional impression of Phase One. The master plan building calls for a structure that will occupy 3.45 acres and serve nearly 10,000 people at capacity.

Features and layout of the Phase One building are intended to facilitate worship, work, and witness.

The facility also houses the Christos Bookcenter that is available to the public.

The development of Phase One of the new campus represents an investment exceeding $14M, including land, planning, construction, and furnishing of the campus. Site preparation for Phase One of construction took place in the fall of 2003. The congregation voted in August of 2004 to commence construction in September 2004. Construction was completed in December 2005.

Inquiries about giving toward facility costs can be made by calling the church office at 507-288-8880.