Replace The Sanctuary, Page 1
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church

Building Program Phase 3

During the decade of the 1990s, the United States experienced a period of prosperity never seen before. The national economy grew steadily, all the economic indicators were positive, the stock market rose to unprecedented levels. These were good time, with many experts predicting there would be no end to the wealth.

Toward the end of the decade, the congregation, sensing a need for more worship space and additional class rooms, decided to begin Phase 3, see Composite Building Outline page 2. A building committee was formed and fund raising began.

Some members of the congregation wanted to add classrooms immediately and defer the effort to replace the sanctuary. Other members wanted to start immendiately with a new sanctuary, and enlarge the educational wing as money became available.

The building committee decided to add a new sanctuary, with a basement designed to accommodate classrooms at a later time. Because of continuous problems with water leaks in the old sanctuary roof, it was decided to build a new roof above the old sanctuary roof. The Phase 2 building was renovated to redo the bathrooms, add two new classrooms, and to convert some of the old classrooms to offices.

Initially, the objectives were to spend about $1,200,000 for construction. This would be paid for by raising about $650,000 in pledges and getting a mortgage from Lutheran Brotherhood for the remaining amount.

By the time construction started, cost estimates had risen considerably beyond the early optimism. The committee , after review and revision of the construction plans, managed to reduce costs to about $1,600,000. There was a "Second Effort Fund Raiser," followed by a "Final Mile Fund Raiser," resulting in a total of about $800,000 of pledges for the three fund raisers. Lutheran Brotherhood committed to a thirty year mortgage of $805,000, at 8 per cent.

A construction loan of $800,000 was arranged with AAL to provide funds during construction. At the end of the construction, when the building was ready for occupancy, the mortgage from Lutheran Brotherhood would begin.

Construction began in March (?) of 2000. Church operations continued during construction, except for a period of about one week in August, when electrical power had to be shut down.

editor's note: Don't touch that mouse.
There is much more to this history --
it just hasn't been lived yet.