For twelve years the members of River Valley Community Church have dreamed of building a new church at Chaffee Crossing. After much prayer, patience and persistence, the dream will finally become a reality. On Sunday, August 9, 2020, 12:00 p.m., church members will break ground for a permanent home in Chaffee Crossing on their new campus at 7700
Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, AR, and they wholeheartedly invite the public to attend and share in the celebration.
“We could not be more excited about what people will see happening here and we invite everyone in the Fort Smith region to come out and celebrate with us,” says Pastor Adam Kareus. “This will be a very special day for our church as we start the next phase of our ministry. We want to thank everyone who has made this possible, especially the people who call River Valley Community Church home, for this is a fruit of their labor. As I look toward the future of our church, I am thrilled to pray about how our ministry can be furthered by this new building, which is a tool to reach this developing neighborhood and community.”
The new church will be built on a nine-acre campus at the corner of Wells Lake Road and McClure Drive overlooking the valley to the east. It will be surrounded by new residential neighborhoods, restaurants, and recreational amenities. The modern 10,000 square foot building design has echoes of Fort Chaffee history with its earth tone colors and materials. Auditorium seating will accommodate 245 people and it will have a secure children’s wing. Hight Jackson Architects of Rogers, AR, created the architectural design. Beshears Construction of Fort Smith is the general construction contractor. An architectural rendering is included with this release.
The RVCC church family sees this new building as a great tool for ministry. Both campus layout and architectural design are purposeful to fit in with the vibe and lifestyle of the neighborhood. The building features a significant amount of outdoor space including a courtyard surrounded by glass garage doors that can be raised for indoor/outdoor events. A section of the future Chaffee Crossing Phase II trail will cross the campus. The 200-acre Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center with all of its
amenities is adjacent to the property.
Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority president and CEO Daniel Mann says although the new church building has been a long time coming, this may be the best possible time for its construction. “We’ve worked with the River Valley Community Church leadership team throughout their planning process to make sure it would be a successful project. They have been patient and persistent and now that is paying off with a beautiful $2.4 million facility that will be their church home for generations to come.”
RVCC started by renting space from Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority on Taylor Ave. The nine acres was purchased in 2013.
All guests attending the groundbreaking ceremony are asked to wear masks and follow appropriate social distancing measures.
Some important things to know about River Valley Community Church:
For those who might be curious, the DNA of River Valley Community is first and foremost, THE GOSPEL!
That word may be new vocabulary and it can be often misunderstood … but in short, it’s Great News that everyone needs to hear. Whether that makes you curious or whether you already know this great news, we’d love for you to join our church family.
• WE ARE FAMILY! … we love one another and really enjoy our friendship and fellowship… including food, fun and the outdoors.
• WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD! From the very beginning of our church, we chose Chaffee Crossing, and we are stoked about our new address on Wells Lake Road. Just look at what’s happening in our neighborhood! houses going up, new families moving in, great restaurants, walking trails, people outside fishing, hiking, cycling … all of this is a great fit for our church family.
• WE WANT OUR FAMILY TO GROW! … our hope and prayer are that anyone and everyone who lives, works and plays in our community will hear our invitation … come visit us, get to know us and consider joining our growing family.
Please come visit!!
About Chaffee Crossing:
Chaffee Crossing is Arkansas’ premiere economic development project located within the cities of Fort Smith and Barling. Under the guidance of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority Public Trust, Chaffee Crossing has attracted $1.65 Billion in industrial, commercial, residential, educational, historical and recreational investments that are boosting the entire western Arkansas regional economy.
