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Methodist congregation revels in new church addition
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| By: Rachel Westberg |
May 13, 2009 |
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Many of the building improvements will not only benefit the church, but also the Chetek community. Pictured is Pastor Carrie Hamm with building committee member Bill Vincent.
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After nearly four years of planning, the Chetek United Methodist Church congregation is prepared to dedicate its building addition Sunday.
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In 2004 a needs assessment survey was sent to members of the congregation, the report from which was given in 2005. It soon became clear to church leaders that more space was needed to continue their programs. A building committee was established in August 2005, which allowed the church to address structure and safety needs of the building. In August 2006, construction plans were brought before the congregation and approved. By August 2007, members broke ground on the new addition.
"The congregation wanted to expand their mission," says building committee member Alyce Bannister. "We have lots of youth programs, an active women's group, and we really just needed more space to fulfill our missions."
The new addition, which became available for use in December, is nearly 2,300 square feet. It was built as a multi-use space both for Christian education and the needs of the congregation and community. One of the larger spaces in the addition is a commons area that will be used as an overflow or meeting room. There are also meeting spaces for the choir and Sunday school, extra storage spaces, a utility room, a new pastor's office and a handicap accessible bathroom. In addition, the kitchen was renovated, complete with a new stove and cupboards, to make it more practical. According to building committee member Bill Vincent, the kitchen was a big draw in getting the congregation on board with the plans.
After all was said and done, the total cost of the project was $260,000. Both the kitchen cupboards and carpets were donated (totaling approximately $20,000). The congregation kept a close eye on their budget and depended heavily on the generosity of community members. Several members also had personal fundraising campaigns and offered memorial donations, to keep costs down.
"We are amazed at how the congregation responded," says Vincent. "Their commitment and dedication to seeing the project go through really kept it moving."
According to Pastor Carrie Hamm, the new space has unlimited use potential. Not only will it be used for Sunday school rooms and after-school youth programming, but the hope is to also use it as a center for grief counseling, a parish nursing program, an adult day care, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and other community meetings. It is already being used for Al-Anon and Boy and Girl Scout meetings and birthday parties. Even in construction, many of the contractors and builders were from the Chetek area, making the building a true community-wide space.
"Our goal really was for community outreach," explains Vincent. "As the projects got under way, we saw this as a way to do more for the community. The need was out there and we knew we could help in meeting that need."
"It has been a long process, but we just get excited knowing the possibilities for the space," adds Bannister. "We've been using it from the minute the builders let us have it. It will be exciting to see the whole church used by the community."
The church congregation is preparing to dedicate the new space Sunday during a 10 a.m. worship service. Following the service there will be barbecued chicken and a potluck meal. Communion will be served in the addition. The community is invited to participate in the festivities.
"Faith works," says Hamm. "This was a big step for the church, but faith really does work and God has blessed this place. This really is a big thing for us."
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©The Chetek Alert 2009
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