A single block can make a world of difference. Build more opportunities with us through the Riverside Cornerstone Campaign. From a small lot at the corner of Park and Post Streets, Riverside Presbyterian Church and the adjoining Riverside Presbyterian Day School have served Jacksonville for more than 100 years. Throughout that time, we’ve grown alongside our Riverside neighbors. We offered a family and a team, a sanctuary and a place to come together – and soon, we hope to offer so much more. The Riverside Cornerstone Campaign embraces our integral role within the community, and dreams of all the possibilities locally and far beyond Five Points. Join us as we lay a new cornerstone – and build an even more vibrant Riverside for generations to come.
Family Life Center – at a glance 400+ – Children from 17 different zip codes play in the Riverside Presbyterian Basketball League
$7.5 Million — Cost of building a Family Life Center and investing in the Riverside Presbyterian’s future
More than 60 adult volunteers working to help the League succeed
Thousands of dollars yearly – Expense to operate the League without an on-site gym
22 Years – How long the League has operated without its own gym 0 – Other comparable schools in Jacksonville without a gym
Countless opportunities to welcome our neighbors to the Family Life Center
A Family Life Center that supports the home team. What do we hope to accomplish with the Riverside Cornerstone Campaign? The Cornerstone Campaign will build a new Family Life Center that bursts with activity seven days a week. In this new space, we envision families making memories, friends growing closer as they serve surrounding neighborhoods and teams bonding together as they celebrate the wins – and grow through the hard losses. Part of the Cornerstone Campaign will also include a maintenance endowment to take care of the Family Life Center once it’s built, a financial aid endowment to welcome more students to RPDS and a missions endowment to continue our outreach locally and across the globe.
Nurturing students with a competitive sports program. Riverside Presbyterian Day School participates in the North Florida Independent Schools Athletic Conference, which allows our 5th and 6th grade students to compete in basketball, flag football and volleyball. This allows the students to enjoy the game, learn about the sports, stay active and be part of a team. But presently, we must hold our practices in rented local gyms – which not only costs money, it removes the pride and excitement of playing on a home court. Donations from the Cornerstone Campaign will support our students by renovating the Rice Family Sports Zone, an existing playing field, outdoor track and outdoor basketball court. It will also allow for the School and Church to welcome the community for outdoor activities and build new partnerships with organizations that serve at-risk youth.
Ministering local children with the Church basketball league. More than 400 boys and girls compete in the RPC Basketball League – and we are committed to sustaining this vital ministry to Northeast Florida’s youth. This program provides a Christian environment for children ages 6 to 15 to learn basketball skills, develop confidence, understand teamwork and participate in a competitive basketball experience. Currently, these games are held at gyms throughout our community. The Family Life Center will change all of that – allowing our team to practice on-site and to welcome surrounding teams to Riverside Presbyterian,
“ Whether people in Riverside are members of our church or not, we want them to think of us as a meaningful part of their community. We want our campus to be a safe place where the community can gather to learn, grow, compete, and find acceptance and love. The programs we will be able to offer through these new facilities will help us become more of what we long to be for our neighbors.” — Pastor Brian Lays
an additional benefit that brings new families to our church and school. From summer sports programs for kids to adult yoga classes, we intend to host many other athletic opportunities at the new facilities that will benefit of the Five Points community. Whether our neighbors are enjoying programs we’ve led for years, such as Black Top Ministries or Sanctuary on 8th Street, or just want to lace up their sneakers for open gym opportunities, it will not be difficult for anyone to participate in activities that will illuminate the Family Life Center on nights and weekends.
Contact Info // How to Donate Doug Walker RPDS Director of Advancement 904.353.5511, ext. 186 (office) dwalker@rpds.com