Building Sacred Spaces - Off Grid Bathroom Facilities
- Jan 6
- 4 min read
Since the very beginning, the Church of Gaia has been brought to life through gifts of service, monetary donations, and the shared belief that when people come together with intention, the impossible becomes possible.
Last year, Church of Gaia was granted the first-ever approval for a Petition for Religious Exemption from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Pursuant to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). This allows us to legally use our sacrament, ayahuasca, in our religious ceremonies. Alongside this, thanks to contributions from our church members, work is underway to obtain religious visas for our Shipibo Ceremonial Leaders coming from Peru.
Now with significant milestones reached, our sights are finally set on development of our church property to make it accessible for various gatherings, ceremonies, and community events.
Journey so Far, Visions for the Future
Our property is the result of communal effort that has been shaped by the hands and hearts of our community. Together, we have cleared fallen branches, tree stumps, and small trees to create an accessible easement leading up to the property line. Our next step is building the structures necessary to host people on the land. With on-site facilities, we open the door to deeper connection, expanded offerings, and a more sustainable future for the church. We will lay out progress through blog posts and on our social media pages. As we get closer to project development, we intend to keep you informed of all progress, so keep an eye out for further updates!
The first project we aim to complete is building an off grid bathroom facility. To make this goal achievable and transparent, the fundraiser is structured in three phases, reflecting the natural stages of the build. The total project goal is $11,780 with Phase One totaling approximately $2,880.
Complete Project Scope for Off Grid Bathroom
Being an off-grid location, our plans for infrastructure require thoughtful, innovative solutions that balance modern building standards with our commitment to being gentle stewards of the land and reducing our environmental footprint. The bathroom facilities include 2 gender-neutral toilet stalls and 2 shower stalls, with ADA features to ensure inclusivity for all. Plumbing fixtures have been carefully selected to meet our unique land situation with water storage, non-electric pumps, and composting toilets, while still meeting comfort and safety needs such as instant hot water. We intend for our facilities to blend seamlessly into the environment and reduce their impact on the landscape through conscious development.
Phase One – Groundwork, Structural Posts, Main Walls
Each phase is essential to the overall completion and functionality of the project, with careful attention given to reducing environmental impact and supporting the needs of our community when we gather. This first phase allows us to begin the physical work on the land, including grading and groundwork, installing the structural posts, and constructing the main walls of the facility.
Grading and groundwork will prepare the site by leveling and clearing the designated area, ensuring a solid and accessible foundation for the building. Once the land is ready, we will set the concrete and pressure-treated posts, which form the backbone of the structure and provide essential support for the walls and roof. The main walls will be built using natural building materials already existent on the property and high-quality cedar and lattice fence panels.
Completing these foundational steps is crucial for ensuring the stability, safety, and longevity of the off-grid bathroom, and sets the stage for the subsequent phases of construction. In our commitment to transparency, we have included a full cost breakdown below:
Permits & Fees $500
Grading/Groundwork:
$300 for tool rentals and gas reimbursement
Structural Posts:
Concrete for (9) Posts: $300
(6) 4x4x8’ pressure treated posts ($16/each): $96
(3) 4x4x 10’-12’ pressure treated posts ($30/each): $90
(13) pier blocks for decking support ($10/each): $130
Main Walls:
Wood/Lattice Fence Sections:
(3) 6’ high x 8’ long cedar/lattice fence panels ($145/each): $435
Wood Paneling on back of structure:
(20) horizontal boards starting 12” from ground, 3⁄4”x6”x12’ cedar boards ($27/each): $540
Misc. Tools for Clay/Plaster Walls: TBD
Misc. Hardware:
Hardware, Screws, Fasteners: $250
+Taxes
How You Can Help
As with every milestone Church of Gaia has met so far, none of this would be possible without the contributions of our members and the shared commitment to building these spaces together. That is why we are directly asking for your help to meet this goal by Spring so that we can carry the momentum of our past accomplishments into our visions for the future. This work is being done with the intention of utilizing our church property as a space to gather and to show deep respect for the land, as a community.
Every contribution – no matter the size, one-time or monthly – directly helps support our vision for completion of this project. You make a direct impact in transforming raw land into a functional property where community, reverence, and our earth-centered practices can flourish. You can donate today by visiting our Zeffy page. Whatever you can contribute makes a significant impact: $10 can help purchase some hardware, nails, and fasteners; $25 helps purchase lumber and support posts; $100 will cover pier blocks needed for structural support; $300 will fully cover completion of the groundwork! While we are actively working on grant writing to help with the costs of this project, we greatly need the help of our community to start bringing the dreams to life of a space to call our own.
Church of Gaia is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services are exchanged for your contribution.
We are deeply grateful for you being a part of this important first step!