Reaching our Community
Fifty years ago, Wildwood made a faithful start, and 20 years ago it set the stage for where we are now. Today, the same God who began that work is leading it forward. The NCC was not built to be our second home — it was built to be our next home as we follow where He leads.
The Northside Community Center grew from a vision first cast in 2005, and in 2023, our leaders reaffirmed the call to move forward with the property.
Explore below to find information, updates, and more.
New Multi-Purpose Pavilion
Relocation Progress Report
- The Deacon Relocation Team is working with Oliver Sperry and our architect to design a new worship space to be constructed at the NCC.
- The Session developed a Master Planning Team (MPT) to oversee implementation of the plans being developed. The team will oversee all design, construction, budgeting, and development of the new campus. This team may establish sub-teams, if necessary, for specific tasks and/or projects. - The MPT will ensure all future growth aligns with Wildwood Church's mission, vision, and ministry objectives while maintaining the campus's original philosophy as a resource for our community. The MPT members are Pastor David McNeely, Bob Burton, Mark Webb, and Tim Hunt.
- We are still waiting to receive the certificate of occupancy to fully open the new multi-purpose pavilion.
- The church will host the Family Movie Night at the NCC on November 6. This is a great opportunity for our congregation to serve and invite young families to enjoy a free night out.
Next Steps
- Get the certificate of occupancy and fully open the pavilion.
- Continue to provide regular opportunities for congregation members to speak to elders about the NCC move.
- Create sanctuary visuals so the congregation can envision the planned worship space and classrooms (November update).
Construction Update
The Northside Community Center Pavilion is almost completed. We are waiting on one final inspection before receiving the certificate of occupancy.
• The Diaconate’s relocation team has engaged a contractor to develop plans and associated cost estimates for a new worship space at the Northside Community Center. The current plan is to build the new building on the Oak Grove property with the proceeds from the Ox Bottom sale.
• Two schools and one church have shown interest in purchasing the Ox Bottom property.
• The Session’s negotiation team has had preliminary discussions with an interested party, and those discussions are ongoing. There has been no formal offer made to purchase the Ox Bottom property.
Next Steps
• Get the CO for the pavilion and open it.
• Finalize plans and associated costs for the new worship space.
• Provide opportunities for congregational questions.
• Next update in September.
Check out this video to see the construction work happening at the Northside Community Center! In this phase, we’re building a multi-use pavilion.
FAQs
What is the Community Center and why does Wildwood have one?
The Northside Community Center is a ministry of Wildwood Church that opened in 2018.
The church envisioned it as a "third place" established to bless the community with
spaces Tallahassee community leaders desired. It offers Wildwood members the
opportunity to volunteer and engage in relationships with unchurched individuals that
may not be possible at our current facility.
Why do our leaders believe God is calling us to move to a new facility?
Prior to COVID, our church's elders were poised to begin promoting the move to the
community center as an opportunity to promote discipleship and evangelism within our
community. The community center provides ministry opportunities daily to engage
unchurched people our current facility does not. Our leaders also believe this new space
would better serve our congregation's needs well into the church's future. Our elders
took up this question in the fall of 2023. After a season of prayer and seeking the Lord,
the elders reaffirmed the call to move the community center.
Why don’t we call it Wildwood Community Center or identify it with the church? Why can’t we call it Wildwood Church? Will the Community Center’s name be changed once the church moves there?
While the community center will eventually be identified with Wildwood Church (e.g.,
signage), it is a space designed for the north side of Tallahassee, not just for Wildwood
Church. When we eventually move out there, Wildwood Church (the congregation) will
meet at the Northside Community Center (the campus).
What is the proposed timeline for moving? Is the proposed timeline for moving realistic?
The proposed moving timeline depends on the sale of the Ox Bottom property and its
approval by the congregation. We need to build an additional wing for Wildwood
Preschool to move to the community center.
Where will the church meet on Sundays while the Auditorium/Sanctuary is being built?
We plan to negotiate a short-term rental agreement to continue meeting and
worshipping in our current facility while the new space is under construction.
Will the congregation get to vote on whether or not the church building is sold?
Yes. According to our denomination's Book of Church Order, the congregation must
approve the sale of church facilities.