Leaders at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread Ave., are working on fundraising efforts for the building.

Soon, Ecumenical Christian Ministries can truly call its building home.

The Rev. Thad Holcombe, pastor at ECM, says that the Synod of Mid-America has voted to deed the building at 1204 Oread Ave. over to the ECM board of directors. Once the paperwork goes through, the move will allow the ECM to make needed improvements to the 48-year-old building.

“They passed it. It went through with no problem at all,” says Holcombe of the Aug. 8 meeting.

The improvements include updating the heating and cooling implements, installing new drapes, kitchen and plumbing repairs and work on the ECM’s student living community, Koinonia.

Holcombe says the improvements could cost up to $700,000, though that number is subject to change once a formal feasibility study is completed.

The synod’s gift of the building to the ECM not only allows the ECM to use the building as collateral for improvement loans, but also will make the changes more efficient because each adjustment to the building won’t need to be approved by the synod.