Journey to the Center of the Earth

Resourceful congregation goes "green"

Four hundred feet into the earth’s core may not be a place you’d expect to see an ELCA congregation. But Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, isn’t afraid to journey beyond expectations. In Wheat Ridge, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, this enterprising and resourceful congregation has “gone green” – installing a complete and expansive geothermal heating and air conditioning system that has not only proved economical and ecologically progressive, it’s become a source of inspiration to churches and organizations throughout the local area.

One of the advantages of Holy Cross’s location, in addition to the fresh mountain air and being a quick zip up I-70 to some of the nation’s best ski resorts, is its proximity to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, located just six miles away. Many residents of Wheat Ridge work at the lab and are involved in the federal government’s efforts to search for renewable and sustainable forms of energy that will take our nation and our world into the future.

Like Bolko von Roedern, who works with photovoltaic technology – using solar cells to turn sunlight directly into electricity. In addition to being a world expert in this leading-edge form of energy, Bolko happens to be an active young member of the congregation at Holy Cross Lutheran. When he learned that the church was having trouble paying the bills for its 50-year-old, riddled-with-leaks radiant heating system, he helped mobilize the cause to explore alternative energy sources.

And Bolko wasn’t alone. Holy Cross is full of active, engaged congregants, and Pastor Arlyn Tolzmann takes a very democratic approach to leadership. After coming to the conclusion that a complete overhaul of the system would be necessary, he turned to the congregation for help in making some important financial decisions.

The committee did a cost-balance analysis and ruled out photovoltaic energy as a viable option, given the physics of the building’s specific location and design. But Bolko’s enthusiasm helped them to continue to push conventional boundaries and explore geothermal heat. This process would essentially remove heat from the building during the summer (thus cooling the church building) and store it deep into the earth’s surface, where it could provide heat throughout the winter. Once the system was installed, bills would be significantly decreased, the Sunday School classrooms would become warmer in winter and more comfortable, and the sanctuary, which had never been outfitted for air conditioning, could be kept cool on hot summer days.

After endless research, congregational meetings led by members with experience both in construction and geothermal technology, and really, says Pastor Tolzmann, “just talking ourselves into going for it,” the congregation voted almost unanimously to undertake the project in May 2008.

There was just one obstacle. To install the system, the parking lot had to be essentially removed and deep holes had to be dug to lay the 800 feet of vinyl piping that would form the passageways for the cool and warm air to travel between the earth’s crust and the church. It was an ambitious – and very expensive undertaking. The congregation turned to the Mission Investment Fund for a loan to help finance the project, and a capital campaign was also begun locally.

Sometimes doing God’s work can feel like moving mountains. In this case, it actually was. Ground was literally broken soon after financing was in place, and the project was under way. A top construction team was assembled, led by congregants Jack Major, owner of Major Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc, and Al Buerger, the church’s former caretaker who had years of experience working for FEMA as well as on national parks and freeway systems.

Their team demolished the parking lot and brought in two enormous rigs to drill two 400-foot holes. Next, 800 feet of vinyl piping was installed and connected to brand new ductwork in the sanctuary as well as in the education center. The final step was redoing the necessary electrical work throughout the building to make the heating and air conditioning system functional.

It was by all accounts, a team effort, and one in which the Mission Investment Fund was happy to play a role. Today, the children in the youth room don’t have to shiver in the winter, and the sanctuary is comfortable for everyone in the summer. Most importantly, the people of Holy Cross Lutheran Church continue to work together every day to fulfill their motto: “Striving to be environmentally conscious stewards of God's creation.”