Grace Lutheran Church readies for expansion project

An expansion will add 4,000 square feet to Grace Lutheran Church by razing a narrow portion of the building that connects the sanctuary and parish hall. The narrow section will be replaced with a three-level addition linking the two wings.

A $3 million expansion of Grace Lutheran Church is scheduled to begin Sunday.

For the past five years, leaders of the downtown Glen Ellyn church have been actively working on the long-awaited project.

The expansion will add 4,000 square feet to the church at 493 Forest Ave. Work will include razing a narrow portion that connects a sanctuary wing and a parish hall wing and replacing it with a three-level addition linking the two wings.

A brand new entrance will be created and Sunday school space will be doubled. In addition, an elevator will be added and handicap accessibility will be updated.

Church leaders have raised $1.5 million to help pay for the work. The congregation is looking to borrow the remaining $1.5 million needed to complete the project.

"It's very exciting, not only for our congregation, but it's also going to offer us even more opportunities to reach out to the community," the Rev. Robin Currie said.

She said that because the downtown church will have increased space once the project is completed in about a year, colleges, schools and other groups will be able to use the facility, too.

Earlier this year, the congregation received a $30,000 grant from the Retirement Research Foundation through its Accessible Faith Grant Program. The money will be used to pay for the renovation of six restrooms. That work will make the restrooms handicapped accessible and bring the facilities up to code.

Currie said the congregation will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2009, and that's also when the building will be completed.

The timing was not planned.

"It's a very exciting time to be here," she said.