Sunday will be a little more than special for this church

St. Paul Lutheran Church on Sunday will be celebrating a $4 million building renovation at its two services after spending almost two years worshiping across the street at the church's school gymnasium.

The church, at 100 S. School St. in Mount Prospect, has renovated its sanctuary, adding air conditioning and an elevator, among its major improvements.

In addition to expanded services at 8 and 10 a.m., a 56-piece orchestra will be performing, and Dan Gilbert, Northern Illinois District president of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, will be giving a speech.

The church, with more than 700 families, has been growing steadily since the building was dedicated in 1960, said Pastor Marc Schwichtenberg.

Church members had wanted to do more outreach and family ministry, so they decided to expand.

"Family ministry is a key to the church and school and our facility wasn't keeping up to the changing needs of reaching out," Schwichtenberg said.

For almost two years, the church has undergone extensive changes, said Kathy Moran, who's on the church's building committee.

One of the more important and complicated renovations to the older building was the addition of air conditioning.

When the church was built, air conditioning was not incorporated, so during the summer, services have been held at St. Paul School, she said.

Also, the entire church will be fully accessible to all with the addition of an elevator, ramps and code- compliant restrooms.

Construction crews made a complete overhaul of electrical, plumbing and heating systems.

Other major changes included the remodeling of the sanctuary with improved audio/visual and video technology.

Church offices were removed for an expanded lobby and a main level children's nursery and family restroom. New church offices, replacing temporary ones, will be added as part of a second phase that's still two years away.

In other changes, the front entrance was completely redesigned with a new plaza area, signage and roofing.

The lower level was rehabbed for youth ministry, children's ministry, school extended care and senior ministry.