Add An Education Wing, Page 1
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

Building Program Phase 2

In late 1974, a series of cottage meetings were held to discuss specific space needs and to explore possibilities for satisfying these needs. The overwhelming message from the members attending these meetings took the form of a request that the Council of Deacons continue to explore the possibilities of a building program.

In Januarary of 1975, the Council established a Building Committee, with Mr. Robert D. Drake as Committee Chair. The committee presented a report in October 1975 outlining the need for expansion. Among the conclusions were, a lack of sufficient classroom space that resulted in dividing the Sunday School between the current building and the Valley Woods Center of Children facility on Route 31 in Hopewell Township. The split facilities were believed to be directly responsible for the reduction in Sunday School attendance, compared to the previous year.

The committee report listed other space deficiencies in Worship Area and several other areas. Many complaints were heard from members due to the poor and rocky surface surface on the parking area. The single access to the parking area from Pennington Road is very hazardous . An enlarged parking area with blacktop surface and access to Brophy Drive is needed

At the Congregational Meeting, Reformation Sunday, October 26, the committee report was presented to the congregation. The congregration approved the report and authorized the Planning Committee to prepare more detailed plans, specifications and cost estimates in preparation for construction, with a Capital Funds campaign to run for two years.

Seating in the Nave used lovely, comfortable individual wooden chairs. The chairs had small nylon guides in the side that allowed ushers to connect chairs to chairs. The chair padding was covered in with a red cloth, probably the most prominent color in the Nave. Naturally, the altar coverings and the banners changed according to the liturtical season. However, the altar sat upon a raised platform covered with matching red carpet. The choir used a set of three-level risers also covered with red carpet.