Pastor Jimmy Edwards says the congregation of the Furnace Run Chapel will move ahead with building a new sanctuary as funds are available.
Furnace Run Chapel is one step closer to a new sanctuary. East Franklin Township issued a permit for a new sanctuary to be erected on church property at 154 Montgomery Road.
According to Zoning Officer Greg McKelvey, the new building will be 36 feet by 72 feet and will be erected in front of the current facility.
“They are going to leave the existing structure in place,” McKelvey said. “They are going to build a new structure and then have a covered walkway connecting the two. They have been looking into this project and deciding what form it will take for several months.”
Jimmy Edwards, the church pastor, confirmed the old facility will become a social hall and the new building will be their worship area.
“We wanted to have a place to do funeral dinners and other events. We have never really had a place to have snacks. The new building will give us a little bit more room and better bathroom facilities.”
The new building will be erected by Morton Buildings that has constructed over a thousand churches. Once the Morton contractors erect the building, then the church will sub-contract the inside work locally.
“I’m hoping for this year, but it might be in the Spring,” Edwards said pointing to an estimated cost of $250,000. “It depends if the contracts can come in on budget or not.”
Edwards said the church has waited several years until municipal sewage was available. They have moved cautiously and will only move ahead as finances are available. The church has been saving money in their building fund for a down-payment.
“We have been trying for the past three years to figure out how to go about it,” he said. “It was evolving as we try to do it with our budget. If we get bids in and they are more than we estimated, we will put it off until we can afford it.”
Edwards estimates the new sanctuary will seat approximately 130 parishioners. His current average attendance is around 50-70 people.
McKelvey said the church has been improving their parking lot.
“They have already done work on their parking lot and the parking for the congregation is already a part of the site plan they submitted.”
Edwards said new families are always welcomed to come and visit the church and consider making Furnace Run Chapel their home church.
An architectural drawing of the property shows the current church with a covered walkway that will go to the new structure at Furnace Run Chapel.