Willow Crystal Lake held groundbreaking celebration Nov. 1
Willow Crystal Lake Church broke ground for construction on its new home, 100 S. Main St. in Crystal Lake, on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
The church's celebration featured lead pastor Rev. Marcus Bieschke, stewardship and operations pastor Rev. Don Greetham and Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley.
Willow Crystal Lake purchased the property, formerly the Oak Industries facility, on June 8, 2016. Construction and renovation began on Nov. 1, with plans of opening the building to the community in fall of 2017.
The property, 25 acres and 192,000 square foot building, offers Willow Creek Crystal Lake ample space to grow their efforts to help individuals thrive in their families, workplace and neighborhoods. They are excited to be located so close to the heart of downtown Crystal Lake and the region, making it easier for the community to connect and participate in events and activities.
Mayor Aaron Sheply addressed the crowd, "I want to congratulate all of you, for having the tenacity and the foresight and the vision to select this as your new home. We are very, very excited about what you are proposing. I've been excited about it since day one …. On behalf of the City of Crystal Lake and me personally, my family … thank you for selecting this as your site. You have our commitment and pledge to continue to work with you and every member of this congregation to make this place everything you hope it will be and that we hope it will be too."
Willow Creek has been a part of the McHenry County community since 2003. They currently lease space at 220 Exchange Drive, Crystal Lake. In addition to Crystal Lake, Willow Creek has seven other locations throughout the Chicago area: South Barrington, DuPage, North Shore, Chicago, Huntley and Lake County.
Thousands of families and individuals from the Crystal Lake and surrounding communities currently participate in classes, groups, workshops, camps, and events like Trunk or Treat and the Global Leadership Summit, as well as weekend services.
The church partners with Crystal Lake and McHenry County community organizations and churches to serve families in the area - Crystal Lake Food Pantry, District 47, Salvation Army, Refuge for Women, Pioneer Center, Safe Families, New Name Ministry, The Blessing Barn, Kids Hope USA, Home of the Sparrow, and Helping Hands Jail Ministry of McHenry County.
In addition to Willow Crystal Lake's local commitment to strengthen families, they also partner with churches in El Salvador and Zambia fighting poverty and injustice.
Services are at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays.
For details, call (224) 512-1737 or visit www.willowcreek.org/en/locations/crystal-lake. Follow the church at www.facebook.com/willowcrystallake or twitter.com/WillowCreekCL.