Arlington Heights church hopes to raise money for expansion

In 1982, a fire destroyed the sanctuary of the Orchard Evangelical Free Church, which began in 1952 as the Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church.

For three years following the fire, the congregation met at John Hersey High School, and eventually moved into their current facility at 1330 N. Douglas Ave. in Arlington Heights.

On Sunday, the parishioners returned to Hersey High as Senior Pastor Colin Smith urged them to help raise $15 million to renovate the existing campus as well as enable the church to move into a second home at the former JFK Health World children's museum at 1301 S. Grove Ave. in Barrington.

Church spokeswoman Ruth Guillaume said $5 million already has been raised.

In his message, Smith referenced the book of Matthew, which urges people not to store up for themselves treasures on earth.

"Don't miss this opportunity," he said. "Discern the moment. These moments do not come on a regular basis. This is unique."

Church board chairman Gary Griffin delivered an exhortation that acknowledged people have been affected by hard economic times.

"I'm concerned this morning that Satan will cause this situation to (induce) within us a degree of fear. And that he will use that fear to make us timid," he said. "I'm not talking about making a ridiculous commitment. I'm not talking about making an imprudent commitment. I know that we all come from all kinds of situations here this morning. But I am asking that we make an authentic demonstration of our faith and not our fear."

Former Senior Pastor Ted Olsen, who delivered the benediction at the service, said the church was unable to expand on its present property.

"I don't know that there has been a more critical moment in the history of our church," he said.

The new location will enable the church to deliver a wide array of services, Olsen said. "Every ministry that we offer on our present location will be replicated," he said, including ministering to those with addictions and a worldwide outreach through the church's mission program.

Guillaume is confident in the ability of the approximately 1,900 worshipers to raise the funds. She noted that the church added a $6.4-million education wing to the Arlington Heights facility, finished in early 2001.

"One year after we were in it, we had it totally paid off," she said. "At that time, the church budget was about half of what it is now."