Pierre First celebrated a milestone two decades in the making. (photo by Jenny Hallenbeck Orr)

Two decades ago, the people of First United Methodist Church in Pierre, South Dakota, took a step of faith to make a bold vision a reality—a vision to expand their facility to serve not only their own congregation but the wider Pierre community. That dream took shape with the opening of the Trinity Community Center (TCC) in 2007. Now, in 2025, the congregation celebrates another milestone: the retirement of their building debt five years ahead of schedule, culminating in a joyful mortgage-burning service that included current and past lay and pastoral leadership as well as Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident Bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area.

"This debt retirement five years early really is due to the faithfulness of those who have supported the mission and see the value in what we're doing, the trajectory we're heading, and the vision that was being cast of new possibilities in the future," said Pastor Jeff Lathrop, senior pastor at Pierre First UMC.

Rooted in History, Built for the Future
The story of faith-filled building projects at Pierre First UMC stretches back to 1910, when the original church building was constructed. The building committee at the time was chaired by South Dakota Governor Robert S. Vessey, who was also watching a new capital building being erected down the street. But the congregation's dreams were outsized compared to their membership numbers.

"Back then, the congregation was only 150 members," recalled Scott Jones, church member and former co-chair of the capital campaign. "People thought, 'What are they doing? They have so overbuilt that church.' But they were looking to the future and to future generations."

Just a few years later, a recession hit. Members struggled to keep up with pledges, and the church faced the real possibility of default. A call went out to Methodist churches and members across the connection, and help came from unexpected places—including a woman in Chicago, who had never been to South Dakota but sent $20,000 to keep the capital city church alive. That gift planted seeds of generosity and God-sized dreaming into the DNA of Pierre First.

Pastors who have served Pierre First since 2004 joined in the celebration. (photo courtesy of Jenny Hallenbeck Orr)

Nearly a century later, that same spirit of bold vision arose again. For decades, the members of Pierre First had dreamed of expanded ministry space. In the early 2000s, they sensed the Spirit saying now was the time, and the congregation launched a capital campaign for an addition to the historic facility. This multipurpose space would become the Trinity Community Center.

The campaign kicked off with a Miracle Sunday in December 2004. The congregation committed over $1.5 million toward the project—$344,000 in immediate gifts and $1.2 million in pledges. Before beginning, they decided not to break ground until they had at least half of the estimated $4 million projected cost in cash or pledges. They reached that goal by the end of 2005 and broke ground on Easter Sunday of 2006.

Stewarding the Mission and Vision
As Bishop Lanette shared in her message to those who gathered on Sunday, “We do not build simply to build. We build because we believe that through that act and through the result, God will do a new thing.”

And God has been faithful to do that new thing in and through the congregation and this facility. Since its completion, the TCC has become a hub for both church and community life. Perched on a hill in the center of Pierre, the church is a visible beacon of hope and hospitality. Staff-Parish Relations Committee chair, Amanda Martin, reflected, "The TCC is a place for gathering and growing, and it is so often used for activities not just for our church, but for the wider community, providing a place of sanctuary and celebration."

Bishop Lanette shared a word of encouragement and challenge.

"This building really embodies our belief that the church is not just for us, for our own purposes, but rather for the community," said Pastor Jeff. "That's in the name—Trinity Community Center. It is a tool, an outreach tool for ministry."

However, despite this God-sized dream, bold vision, and committed generosity, early on in the campaign, there was concern that giving to a capital campaign would reduce giving to the general budget. Those concerns were not only alleviated, but the seeds of generosity that were planted through the campaign have borne additional fruit – mission giving actually went up after the building was completed.

"Pastor Howard Grinager did a nice job of explaining that we give from different pockets," Jones remembered. "There's the annual income pocket, which supports regular ministries, but then there's the asset pocket—what do I own, and what could I release for this project? And finally, the end-of-life pocket—what am I going to leave behind?"

Jones sees the importance of investing in the future mission and witness of the church as an act of discipleship as well as a way to continue the legacy of those planted seeds of faith and generosity in past generations – seeds they wouldn’t necessarily live to see come to harvest.

“As a lot of churches see older and older congregations, it's important for those that have the ability to remember the church in their estate planning, to do so,” said Jones. “I just think of all the dozens of pillars within our church that passed away and maybe aside from memorial gifts, had never really taken the time to think about, ‘You know, I tithed my whole lifetime. Why is it that out of my end-of-life assets I didn't do the same?’"

Continuing this legacy of faith was another message that echoed through the celebration on Sunday as the chancel choir sang an anthem entitled, “A Family of Faith.” It was the song they sang on consecration Sunday in 2007 and one that inspired Jones and others at the time. He and fellow member, Dave Bonde, served as co-chairs of the building campaign and also both sang in the chancel choir at the time. As they sang the words of the anthem, "a family of faith, a chosen generation," Jones recalls Bonde saying, "That's us. We're the chosen generation to do this project and to build on what came before us."

This year's celebration brought together the extended family of faith that has invested in the mission and ministry of Pierre First UMC, including all the pastors who have served the church since 2004. Bishop Lanette Plambeck shared a message of inspiration, followed by a catered meal and a time of sharing. The day culminated with the ceremonial burning of the mortgage, led by Conference Superintendent Dan Bader. This act marked both the end of debt and the beginning of new ministry opportunities.

Moving Forward in Faith
With the debt retired, Pierre First is already looking forward to new ministry possibilities.

"My hope is that Pierre First UMC is looked upon as a place where people can come to strengthen their faith," said Jeff Mammenga, a member of the congregation who has served in leadership. "Our hope is that young families within the community see our church as a place to grow their faith. We have always been a congregation that moves Forward in Faith, and my hope is that we will continue."

Revs. Dan Bader and Howard Grinager participated in the burning of the mortgage. (photo by Jenny Hallenbeck Orr)

Leadership team chair, Kelly Mikkelson, added, "Reaching this milestone is a powerful testament to the faithfulness and generosity of our congregation. Paying off the building loan five years early is more than a financial achievement—it's a celebration of shared vision, perseverance, and God's provision. It reflects the deep commitment our members have to the mission and future of Pierre First UMC."

As they celebrated this culmination of faith and commitment, Bishop Lanette also encouraged them to not let this be the end of the story of God’s mission through the church.

“My invitation is to keep moving forward, keep moving forward. This is a step of something that God is dreaming for First United Methodist Church in Pierre,” said Bishop Lanette. “So people of Pierre First United Methodist Church, I invite you into the dream that God is dreaming for you.”

From a Chicago benefactor in 1910, to Miracle Sunday in 2004, to a mortgage burning in 2025, Pierre First UMC has been sustained by the generosity of God's people within and beyond their own congregation – something they hope will encourage future generations as well as other United Methodists.

Jones offered these words of encouragement, "Don't approach things with a spirit of fear or scarcity. God's a God of abundance and passionate people can make good things happen."