Algonquin church has to sell current building before moving

Although much has to happen before Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin can move into a new building, this week a major milestone for its congregation was reached.

The village board Tuesday night approved the annexation of the church’s proposed new location, an 18-acre property on the northeast corner of Sleepy Hollow Road and Longmeadow Parkway, formerly in unincorporated Kane County, Algonquin Senior Planner Katie Parkhurst said. The board also approved preliminary plans for a two-story building with a footprint of 32,000 square feet.

“There are lots of email shouts for joy that are going back and forth,” Rev. Kendall Koenig said.

The church was first built at 100 Hanson Road in 1998, but its 1,400-member congregation has long outgrown that space, Koenig said. In September, the church began renting additional space for Sunday morning worship at Westfield Community School.

The congregation so far has raised about $2.1 million for the construction of the new building, with “a miracle goal” of $3 million, Koenig said.

Still, the church first needs to sell its current facility, listed at $2.85 million, before construction of the new building can begin, Koenig said. “The real estate downturn affected not only home sales, but church sales, too,” he said.

Church officials petitioned for annexation to Algonquin knowing current village board members are supportive of the project.

“We didn’t know what could happen with a different leadership. Also, it cemented in everyone’s minds that we are moving forward with the plan,” Koenig said.

Under the plans approved by the village, the new church will have entrances on Creeks Crossing Drive and Richmond Drive; the church will take on the project of extending Richmond Drive to curve south and meet Longmeadow Parkway, Parkhurst said.