Spanish-language church moving to larger space in Mundelein

A Spanish-language evangelical church in Mundelein is moving to a larger space in town.

The Communidad Cristiana La Vina, commonly called La Vina, is getting ready to relocate this summer from a former movie theater on Seymour Avenue to a vacant, second-story space in a shopping center at 342 Townline Road. That's near the northwest corner of routes 60 and 45, above a Salvation Army store.

The church has operated at 155 N. Seymour Ave. since it was founded in 1994.

"We want to be in Mundelein," Pastor Homero Garcia told the village board this week. "We don't want to go anywhere else."

In 2013, Garcia proposed relocating to the former U.S. Music factory at 444 E. Courtland St. in Mundelein, but the deal fell through and the church stayed put.

According to village documents, La Vina's current home is 10,000 square feet and the worship area doesn't have enough fixed seating for the 400 or so people who regularly attend Sunday services.

Parking has been in short supply, too.

The Townline Road space is more than 32,000 square feet. The last tenant was a play center called Party Fantasy that closed in January.

Garcia said the church has a five-year lease for the Townline Road space.

The village board approved the move Monday by granting special-use permits for the church, including one that allows the church to operate a banquet facility for weddings and other celebrations.

A day care center, a food pantry, indoor athletic activities and English-as-a-second language are among the activities and programs planned for the larger space, officials said.

Before the vote, several parishioners spoke passionately about La Vina and the impact the church has had on their lives.

Vernon Hills resident Joe Trejo, a La Vina youth pastor, said the bigger space means more room for after-school programs.

Round Lake resident Luis Orellana talked about how he turned from drugs and gang activity to missionary work after joining La Vina's congregation. Moving into the larger space will help the church "create a community for many who are lost," he said.