The University of Kentucky’s Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) plans to open its new building once it receives a final $2.5 million in donations to finish the project.
While the building does not have a set date to open, Brian Marshall, the lead pastor and director of the Christian Student Fellowship, said “the fall is a realistic option.” Having already raised over $15 million for the project, Marshall said the remaining money will be used to furnish the facility and to pay the final construction bill.
According to Marshall, CSF is committed to completing the project debt-free, with all of its funding coming from donations.
“Over 90% of CSF’s donations just come from individuals,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of generous people who give, we’re doing a final push now.”
He said CSF’s new building was established to accommodate a growing membership. Their current location, Lewis House, does not have enough space to house the increase in student interest.
The new building is planned to have additional areas featuring study spaces, a coffee shop, a basketball court and a video gaming area called “The Hub,” according to Marshall.
Marshall said there are also residential spaces in the building that can house up to six students.
Madi Webb, a senior at the University of Kentucky studying marketing and Appalachian studies, is one of the students living in CSF’s apartments.
Webb said the new building had opened in August 2024 for the first group of residents. She said her decision to live there was an example of her faith, saying the building will help serve the campus community.
“I felt that living in here would pave the way for future students to have this opportunity for decades to come,” Webb said.
Part of this residential experience, according to Marshall, is contributing to the building’s hospitality, as well as helping with day-to-day cleaning.
In return, residents are only required to pay a low monthly rent of $350.
A goal for Marshall is for this building to act as a “third space,” which he explained as a place outside of the dorm and classroom for students to gather.
“I just want this place to be open for students, just to have another great place where they can build friendships on campus,” Marshall said.
Marshall said he hopes all students feel welcome to utilize the new building, regardless of belief or background.
“I don’t want to try to twist someone’s arm and make them believe something,” Marshall said. “If they want to explore those conversations and have those types of talks, we can do that, but I want them just to come here and be like, ‘That place was awesome for pancakes.’”
