Central Mennonite Church Welcomes Community Through New Sanctuary

Jeff Smith, pastor at Central Mennonite Church, in the new sanctuary. There is seating for 400 worshipers; placing chairs in the sanctuary increases seating beyond that number. Smith said the new sanctuary will be ready for services Sunday, Jan. 20.- photo by David Pugh

"We want to be a welcoming place for the community," said Wayne Short, chairman of the Central Mennonite Church building committee.

That's the reason the church is opening a new sanctuary this month, the first phase of a $3.2 million renovation. Especially for the new sanctuary, renovation plans were designed to create an approachable, personable atmosphere.

"The current sanctuary is very long and we wanted to have a more intimate feel," said Jeff Smith, pastor. "The new sanctuary will fit us better."

Actual construction came after four years of consideration, said Short. Central finally broke ground on the sanctuary addition late last spring.

"This is the time when everything came together," said Short. "We seem to have good support from the congregation."

While the new sanctuary is 7,000 square feet larger than the old, it's difficult to compare dimensions, Short said.

The new sanctuary plan condenses the current sanctuary's, elongated layout into a semicircular seating arrangement. The layout will combine with softer, indirect lighting and a lower ceiling to create a more intimate worship experience.

"It's going to be a totally different look and feel," Short said.

Preserving the Past

The new sanctuary, which re- places one erected 71 years ago in 1936, is almost completed.

"We're in the home stretch," Smith said.

For many, leaving the old sanctuary will be difficult. "We are attached to this sanctuary," said Smith. "It's a place where many people in the congregation have worshipped their whole lives. God has met us as a congregation a lot in that room.

"On the other hand, we are very excited about being in a new place and experiencing congregational life and worship there as well."

To help make the transition easier, stained glass pieces from the original sanctuary will be re-cut and installed as windows in the new room. A wooden cross will also be transferred.

"That's one of the ways we're taking the old along with us," said Smith.

A Building for All

Besides the sanctuary, other renovations were designed to foster a close-knit Central community.

"I think a big thing will be the common meeting area, where we don't have people coming in from three different entrances and exits," said Short. "Now everyone will come in the same lobby area."

The completed building will also be handicap accessible, with an elevator running between the two floors.

Under the established timetable, phase one, which includes the sanctuary, lobby, and new office suites, will be finished this month.

"We tentatively hope to be in the new sanctuary by Jan. 20," Smith said. "We can't wait."

Phase two involves renovations on the current structure. The project will convert the building's first floor, including the existing sanctuary, into a fellowship hall, kitchen, nursery, and library. A second floor will house Christian education and youth rooms.

Smith expects the contractor, Midwest Contracting, Holland, will complete both phases by next summer.

The church will hold a building dedication in the fall.

"We think the congregation is really excited about the project," said Short. "A lot of enthusiasm going on.

"And we'd invite anyone to come and visit us."