Five area congregations involved in major construction projects

Research by the Barna Group suggests that 45 percent of American adults attend church during a typical weekend. And if that's so, it might explain the current church construction boom in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Five congregations are in the midst of major projects designed to add space for ministries, make better use of existing structures and create a more comfortable atmosphere for worship.

Here's a synopsis of each project:

* St. Andrew Lutheran Church

This project includes everything from renovating classrooms to adding an elevator and creating better accessibility for the disabled.

Accessibility is being incorporated in and outside the property, said the Rev. Paul Short, pastor. Parking spaces are being added, and MoDOT will begin work on an additional right-hand turn lane from Kingshighway that will help direct traffic to and from the church property.

The $2.6 million capital campaign is being called "A time to tear down, a time to build." And that's exactly what is happening, Short said.

Some demolition should begin in the next week, as well as grading and site work on the property.

The renovation and construction has been a dream for the congregation for years, Short said. "We kept focusing more on areas where everyone was saying, 'Yes, that's what we need to do,'" said Jim Hicks, lay minister.

Classroom equipment has been moved to accommodate work crews, a temporary solution to the cramped educational space has been to hold Sunday school and Bible studies at both 9:15 and 10:30 a.m. each week.

The project includes a new entry for the south side of the building, an elevator, a 22-foot-wide atrium/concourse with skylights that will connect the worship sanctuary and fellowship areas and expanded classrooms. The work should be done within a year.

* First Baptist Church

Construction of a new facility on Lexington Avenue near Cape Rock Drive is still on time for the congregation to move in by year's end, said the Rev. Mike Shupert, interim pastor.

The church is leaving its current buildings on Broadway for a new, more accessible space. "We're trying to build a building that meets our current needs but also is expandable and flexible," Shupert said.

The construction includes spaces for worship, classrooms, a kitchen and fellowship area. "We have to make sure we're getting the maximum use out of every inch of space," Shupert said.

First Baptist sold its Broadway property to Southeast Missouri State University.

Over the summer, the church is planning to downsize its belongings. "We have to think about what we can take, and since we're downsizing our space we have to downsize our stuff," Shupert said.

But the project, while somewhat bittersweet, has brought the church a new focus and energy, he said.

* New McKendree United Methodist Church, Jackson

After a decade of ministry in a land-locked area, New McKendree had its eye to the future. But the church didn't want to abandon its uptown Jackson roots, so it went searching for a satellite location.

A new facility is under construction on Highway 25 south between Jackson and Gordonville. The new building sits on 60 acres of land that will give the congregation the space it needs to grow.

"We're right in the growth path for the community," said the Rev. John Rice, a pastor at the church. "It's more acreage than we first talked about, but it lets us dream a little bit and project for the future."

For nearly a decade, New McKendree has been part of a growing community but saw its church membership and attendance leveling off, Rice said. "We spent a year studying our ministries and situations" before coming up with the satellite location. "We didn't want to abandon our uptown site because architecturally it's a novel building, and it's been a landmark for this city since 1910 and it's a spiritual landmark for our people."

The congregation spent $250,000 to rehab the existing church as part of the construction project.

* First Assembly of God, Jackson

What started out as a bittersweet revelation has turned into a blessing in disguise for the First Assembly congregation. "People asked 'What got into MoDOT?' and I said the Lord got into MoDOT," said pastor Dean Heady. Because of a widening project along Highway 72, the church's building had to be demolished. The congregation was paid $670,000 for its property and used that money to help fund construction of a new building on Old Toll Road.

Without the impetus from MoDOT, "we wouldn't have gotten the lovely building that we have now," Heady said. The facility sits on 6.5 acres. The building also gives the church space for a half-court gym and worship seating for 300.

Some members actually finished the interior of the building to help the congregation save money.

The new space is "much more appropriate and conducive" for worship and ministry, Heady said. "The sanctuary is just beautiful and the entryway is gorgeous. It wouldn't compare to some cathedrals that you might have seen but it's a beautiful building for the money we had."

The building should appraise for nearly $2 million, he said.

* CrossRoads

The construction of the CrossRoads church in Jackson is in its design phase. The church has purchased land off of East Jackson Boulevard on the east side of Jackson and workers are doing site work.