News

Des Plaines church with new name renovates its building

Posted June 02, 2009 11:00 pm

By Alissa Groeninger Daily Herald Staff

Workers with Aussem Iron install steel beams at The Bridge Community Church, which is planning to hold service in its renovated building Sept. 1, according to Rev. Scott Ziegler, lead pastor. George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

A Des Plaines church is in the midst of a $2 million renovation that symbolizes its new name and new dedication to community outreach.

The Bridge Community Church, which until April was known as the Des Plaines Bible Church, is knocking down interior walls to create a larger open space,

"We're taking the walls of the church down and opening it up because that's what we're doing as a congregation as well," the Rev. Scott Ziegler said.

The church raised half of the funds through a capital campaign within the congregation. Donors made a three-year commitment and can pay as often or as little as they would like. Ziegler said the economy has not slowed donations.

The other 50 percent of the cost was borrowed, and the church is planning a second capital campaign to help pay off the mortgage.

Church elder John Knautz said the project was less expensive than it would have been three years ago because companies are in need of jobs with the slowed economy and thus accept lower prices.

The construction crew is working to improve flow from the main entrance to commonly used areas in the building. An elevator with access to all three levels of the church also is being installed.

"We could just see the value of what we needed to do to make the building more accessible for the general public, as well as people with disabilities," Knautz said.

The church's exterior is also being remodeled because it "looked more like a prison than a church", Ziegler said.

The construction is expected to be complete this August, and a dedication ceremony is planned for September.

Ziegler said the church at 946 E. Thacker St. has not had to cancel any programs even though the entire main floor has been affected by the construction, two of the three main entrances are blocked, and there is dirt and dust throughout the building. He said new people are still finding their way to services and programs.

"The church is still growing quite rapidly," Ziegler said.

There are about 130 members in the congregation, although about 350 people regularly attend services.

Rev. Scott Ziegler, lead pastor at The Bridge Community Church, walks through the service area of the church in Des Plaines. Zeigler said the ceiling is original but was covered over before work began. "No work has been done to it," he said. George LeClaire | Staff Photographer

This January photo was taken shortly after work began and before the church's old name had been removed from the structure. GEORGE LECLAIRE/gleclaire@dailyherald.com January 2009

This artist drawing of The Bridge Community Church is on the fence around the construction site. sketch of renovated church

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