Methodist Congregation Dedicates Family Worship Center

COURT HOUSE — A dream for more Sunday school space and larger Fellowship Hall that started in Summer 2001 became reality May 4 at First United Methodist Church.
The Family Worship Center was consecrated by three clergy of the church, Pastor Ted Osler, Pastor Jesse McLain and Pastor H. Raymond Hughes and Cape Atlantic District Superintendent Rev. Paul Maliel.
The church’s handbell, Praise Team and Sanctuary choirs participated, as the congregation joined in sang and prayer at the 1 p.m. service.
An open house followed from 2-4 p.m. to allow the public an opportunity to see what had been done.
The project began when the Building Committee contacted Architect William Michael Campbell of Fair Haven. It was hoped that a 7,000-square-foot addition could be made. Those original plans grew by 1,200 square feet, for a total 8,200.
Early in 2002, the church hired Kirby Smith Associates, Inc. a Ministry of Church Finance to help begin the three-year capital campaign.
As congregation members heard the call, they donated to the “Heart for God, Eye for the Future” campaign, which had an original goal of $650,000.
In May 2002, “faith promises” added $453,451, about 70 percent of the goal. As time passed, the goal was met.
Through the three years of construction, it was realized that more money would be needed, about $350,000 more, or $1 million was “more realistic,” according to a church program.
Several banks were contacted in order to obtain a mortgage for the necessary amount. Sturdy Savings Bank was the lender who gave the $1-million mortgage.
Ground was broken on Nov. 5, 2005. William Salvesen was selected as contractor. The Building Committee was headed by contractor Ralph Johnson, chair, and Jane Ulbrich, secretary. Many members of the congregation were also on that committee.
In addition to the enlarged worship area, where contemporary services are held on Sundays at 9 a.m., the new hall is also headquarters for the Church Street School, a Christian Montessori school that teaches pre-kindergarten and kindergarten pupils.
That school was temporarily located at the former Country House restaurant in Burleigh. Several weeks ago, it was moved into its new facility.