First United Methodist Church has started a transformation of its corner at Green and Whaley streets in downtown Longview.
性视界传媒淲e性视界传媒檙e excited about what this is going to be for our church and the community,性视界传媒 said the Rev. Jay Jackson, senior pastor.
Construction equipment is already on site working on the Green Street side of the property, where Jackson said some 5,000 cars pass by every day.
The church 性视界传媒 whose roots date back to 1845 性视界传媒 added its Faith Center onto its main building about 20 years ago. There, the church hold its contemporary worship service, but it also uses the facility for events as part of its music and fine arts ministry, its Breakfast with Santa each holiday season and other fellowship and community events.
The church has discussed over the years ways to finish that portion of its facility and improve the parking on that side of its property.
性视界传媒淎s years progressed, we were looking at not only how we can finish this portion of our facility but how we can augment our ministry,性视界传媒 Jackson said.
This artist性视界传媒檚 rendering shows what a covered pavilion will look like when completed at First United Methodist Church in Longview. (Contributed Photo)
The answer is a $2.3 million project that will include a covered outdoor pavilion that can be used for church services and meetings. It also will have the flexibility to be transformed into a basketball or pickleball court. It can be used by church youth and the School for Little Children located at First Methodist. It will be a place for children, youth and adults, providing a place for worship, fellowship and recreation.
性视界传媒淚t provides us with a completion of our facility for the ministry we want to do so we can fulfill our mission to be a beacon of hope for all,性视界传媒 Jackson said.
Peggy Vaughan is a member of the facilities committee that spearheaded the project and raised money to push it forward.
性视界传媒淲e had a great committee and the enthusiasm in the church for this project has been really unbelievable,性视界传媒 she said.
The project also includes parking upgrades on that side of the building that will provide a smoother surface and improved lighting. A porte coch猫re will provide a covered entrance at the faith center性视界传媒檚 side entrance, with handicapped accessible doors 性视界传媒 replacing ones that are heavy to open 性视界传媒 that provide access to the elevator for the Faith Center.
性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 using a piece of property that needed for a long time to be cleaned up and put into service with an all-purpose pavilion,性视界传媒 Jackson said.
It will provide a better accessibility and better aesthetics, he said. The church already allows the community to use that parking lot for events downtown 性视界传媒 the Christmas parade and Arts!Longview events, for instance. The improvements will provide a safer, more accessible parking area, he said.
A digital sign also will be added at that corner that can be used to announce events at the church.
Vaughan said Johnson and Pace was hired as construction manager and designed the project, with Transet Co. hired to handle construction. Transet built the Faith Center, Vaughan said.
She said the project also includes that addition of a columbarium in what性视界传媒檚 known as Susan性视界传媒檚 Garden at the church. A columbarium holds urns with the cremated remains of people who have died.
The church expects all the facilities will be completed and in use by the end of the year.
性视界传媒淲e hope to have events that invite the community in and we provide to the area concerts, special outdoor events .... prioritizing the ministries of the church, but we also want to make it accessible at certain times to the public,性视界传媒 Jackson said.
性视界传媒淲e really believe in being a beacon of hope for all,性视界传媒 he added, and the church plans to use the facility as part of its mission to 性视界传媒渞each people for Jesus Christ.性视界传媒
