(KUTV) A piece of Provo history faced the possibility of extinction just a few weeks ago, but with some innovative planning by the Provo Community United Church of Christ is about to give it a second chance.

The church will undergo a massive restoration and expansion to keep it running. The church was originally built in 1920 and has fallen into tough economic times in recent years. In January the church had to let go its pastor of five years since they're without a budget to keep paying him.

In the absence of a pastor the congregation came up with a committee to steer its future. David Lewis the music director and organist at the Provo community congregation's church has been a parishioner for less than two years, but didn't want to see the church die. When David heard the doors might close he decided where there was a will, there had to be a way.

Lewis said Monday that the congregation feels very lucky. After months of planning, research and looking for help Provo's mayor pointed the committee in the direction of a developer who might be able to help.

Ryan Freeman of Forge Companies has stepped forward to help keep the sanctuary and build a new future for the church. The iconic A-frame sanctuary on Provo's University Avenue will get a face lift and stay for future generations.

The structure that was built in the 1920's will see some dramatic changes. The land where the older portion of the church sits will be part lobby and classrooms for the church. Above it will sit a new high rise apartment complex that will help create a profit sharing opportunity.

The church will get a portion of the apartment profits to keep the church running while the developer gets the land to build the 57 unit building with high end features. The addition will offer apartments of up to two bedrooms for those wanting to live in the heart of Provo.

Without the deal the church would have closed its doors, which would have been a sad end to what was once a thriving church. Lewis who has done his homework says, "The church was bursting at the seams they just couldn't fit as many as they needed." That was in the early days when three different congregations joined to create one unified church.

The original boxy white structure on University Avenue was built in 1920 thanks to a donation from Meno Troupe, a woman who left her church $30,000 when she passed away. Then 20 years later, as World War II ended and Geneva steel kicked up production the now iconic A- frame sanctuary was built for the growing congregation.

Nearly 100 years later the church has seen many changes, but for those still attending the church is a second home. The soon to be renovated sanctuary will fill a need in the community not just keeping religious diversity and saving history, but providing a gathering place for the community.

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Church renovation creates opportunity for Provo community

DANVILLE Living Faith Church of Danville served the people of Hendricks County last week.

A mission team made up mostly of students helped out residents June 16 through 20. The church took requests from people who needed help with yard work, light construction, painting, cleaning, manual labor, or a similar project.

Calvary Baptist Church out of Nacogdoches, Texas, sent 20 students to serve Living Faith Churchs new and growing church here.

They attended church with them on Sunday and then planned the activities for the week.

As a church, we want to be known for our willingness to serve our community and those who live here as our neighbors, Living Faith Church of Danville Pastor Jonathan Hearing said. So we took advantage of this group who came to serve and asked them to serve us by serving Danville.

They had a great response from community residents who requested help.

As I suspected, there were many in the area who could greatly benefit from 20 sets of willing hands, Hearing said. I set up appointments to do work for six different residents throughout the week and the project turned out to be a huge success. We showed up with a Calvary Baptist Church van full of students and we offered several hours of our time, doing anything that was asked of us.

Throughout the week they pulled weeds, mowed yards, laid mulch, installed a patio area, pressure-washed a house, painted a bench, cleaned out a garage, vacuumed, mopped, and did minor repair jobs within their homes.

Most residents were overwhelmed by the humble attitudes of the students and their willingness to do whatever was asked of them.

The fact that the students had given up their summer to come and serve with my church had a moving effect on me as well, Hearing said. These students represented well the attitude of Living Faith Church and our desire to humbly serve those in need, just like Jesus did. Its one thing to serve our community as a whole, but to impact an individual in a tangible way was a blessing to everyone involved.

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Mission team helps community

Ethiopia - On A Mission
Ethiopia is God #39;s harvest field. This summer, a faithful group of servants were able to listen to God #39;s call to go and plant seeds in this region of the world on a mission trip. This was done...

By: Logan Butler

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Ethiopia - On A Mission - Video

Spanish Evangelical Church construction update for Tuesday March 4, 20131
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By: the spainish Church

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Spanish Evangelical Church construction update for Tuesday March 4, 20131 - Video

Paoay, Ilocos Norte An Ilocos Norte provincial legislator has sought the retrofitting of the historic Saint Augustine Church, locally known as the Paoay church, to boost the tourism infrastructure in the countrys far northwestern province.

Provincial Board Member Portia Pamela Salenda said she was also pursuing the reconstruction of the churchs convent ruins to preserve its architectural designs.

The immediate restoration and improvement of the convent ruins, together with the world-famous St. Augustine Church of Paoay, will enhance tourism and heritage sites of the province, she said.

Salenda proposed in a resolution filed with the provincial board the formalization of her appeal for the restoration of the Paoay church.

Meanwhile, an advocate of heritage preservation lauded Salendas move, saying it is very timely as the existence of the outside structures of the Paoay church has been threatened by the growing trees.

Bernard Joseph Guerrero, a Philippine-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage sites researcher, said the church can be easily destroyed by natural calamities if the government fails to take immediate action to maintain its structure.

He was alarmed over the present condition of the church.

As much as Paoay church is the best example of earthquake baroque architecture in the Philippines, I dont think thats a guarantee that it will withstand a magnitude as strong as the Bohol earthquake. If you look at the church right now. many plants are growing from the church building (which) compromises heavily (its) structural integrity, he said.

If some people dont want the Paoay church to be retrofitted because they feel it will become artificial, as for me I feel its just right, he added.

He noted the construction of the existing Paoay Church started in 1694 and completed in 1710 with distinct architecture highlighted by the enormous buttresses on the sides and back of the building.

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Retrofitting of Paoay church sought

June 28, 2014|2:04 pm

The Catholic Church in Bahrain, a small island country situated near the western shores of the Persian Gulf, is preparing for the construction of a new cathedral thanks to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has given land for what will be the largest parish in the Arab peninsula.

The King of Bahrain met with Pope Francis in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace recently, and gave him a 3-foot long model of the cathedral, according to Rome Reports.

The two talked about peace and stability in the Middle East as well as the contribution of Christians in the country, which make up about 10 percent of the population.

Bahrain-based Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Camillo Ballin, whose vicariate stretches from Kuwait to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, is grateful to the king. "The king has a special appreciation for the Catholic Church. We are the only church of which the king has given land," he told Real Clear Religion.

"On behalf of the migrant workers, the children and families and my fellow religious who today serve in Northern Arabia, I appeal to you to join with us to help build the first Catholic cathedral in Awali, Bahrain in Northern Arabia," Ballin says in a plea posted on the website of the Church in Need.

The cathedral will serve about 2.5 million Catholics in the Northern Arabian Peninsula.

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More than 60 percent of the people in Bahrain are Shia, and over 30 percent are Sunni. There have been tensions between the two Muslim communities. However, Bahrain is known as one of the most tolerant nations towards religious minorities in the region, and where several Christian denominations are officially recognized, including the National Evangelical Church in Bahrain.

The people of Bahrain "are used to other religions," Bishop Ballin added.

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Bahrain to Construct Its First Catholic Cathedral

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house doesn't sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it?" Luke 14:28 MSG.

The heart and drive of the Church division of S&B Construction is to help Pastors, their staff, core leadership and congregations understand if they are truly ready for a new church building and or capital campaign. More importantly can they sustain and complete the campaign, before they spend money, time and heartache to never see the vision God has given them for their ministry come to life.

S&B Construction started in 1972. We have been building and designing churchbuildingssince 1996. Our projects have ranged in size and scope from 5,000 S.F. to over 90,000 S.F. Our church designs and construction include Liturgical, Traditional, state of the art Children and Youth facilities, Sanctuaries, and theatrical quality worship auditoriums. Costs have ranged from $125K to over $24 million.

In 2006 S&B Construction was chosen as the exclusive regional church builder for Building God's Way, a unique Biblical approach to facilitate church construction. We have a unique 5 Step Process, from the very early stage of Vision Assessment, then Church Growth, Design, Capital Campaign and Curch Construction of the facility. For more information about Building God's Way and our unique church building process, based on Nehemiah Chapter 2, please click on the Building God's Way tab to the right.

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CEDAR FALLS | The oldest local Catholic church and its school are getting facelifts.

St. Patricks Catholic Church and school are embarking on a $2.75 million renovation. Peters Construction Corp. has started laying groundwork for the project and the parish launched a campaign to pay for it.

Whats really great about it is were seeing some growth in the school, this is growth not only in numbers but in quality, and it allows for a lot better program, said the Rev. Dennis Colter, pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Part of the project will also, quite literally, give a new face to the church. The plan is to create a more welcoming fellowship entrance area, with construction slated to begin in July and complete by Easter 2015.

But its mainly focused on the kids and making things better for them, Colter said.

Like the church, the school is getting an updated but more secure front entrance. When that part of the project is complete, by Christmas, individuals will be buzzed-in from the main office. The school is also adding an elevator for easier access to all three levels of the building.

By the start of school in August, students should have a modernized multipurpose room which includes the library and media center and hosts the before and after school program and space to gather for prayer.

Natural light will flood from new windows, donated large-screen televisions will be mounted on walls and comfortable, moveable furniture will allow students to do group work in any area of the room.

It will be more chapel-like said Bradley Best, president of Peters Construction, working on the project.

The school is also expanding some classrooms, updating the science lab, the cafeteria and the music rooms. Teachers will be getting a larger lounge as well. And the entire school should be air-conditioned by summer 2015 or before.

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Cedar Falls Catholic school, church under renovation

WEST CHICAGO When First United Methodist Church of West Chicago's current building was under construction, its members needed a place to worship, and they found it at First Congregational Church of West Chicago.

Two of West Chicago's oldest churches, they shared both a facility and a pastor because the Congregational Church did not have a pastor of its own.

Through their partnership, the congregations had found a way to come together to meet their needs, and when the time came for First United Methodist Church to move into its new structure, First Congregational Church went too.

That was eight years ago, and their relationship is still going strong, continuing now with a project to refurbish and display both churches' bells.

"We have a similar mission, and we all seem to work together well on these joint projects," said West Chicago resident Judi Horsley, member of First United Methodist Church and chair of the Heritage Bell Plaza Committee.

Built in the 1800s, the two large bells had been in storage for some years until they were sent last October to Smith's Bell and Clock Service in Indiana. The bells did not return until June 17 because a long and brutal winter prevented the churches from building a concrete platform to display the bells earlier this year.

Church members say they are happy to see the bells again.

"It is wonderful," said West Chicago resident Erlaine Born, moderator of First Congregational Church.

Horsley sent photos of the bells to Smith's Bell and Clock Service to see if the company would be able to do the restorative work.

Tasks included making new yolks to hold the bells and clappers to bang against their insides, said J.J. Smith, president of Smith's Bell and Clock Service.

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Refurbished bells ring together at West Chicago's oldest churches

ICC video screenshot

Cross being removed from Yahui Church in Pingyang County, Wenzhou City, China.

Christians in China are protesting the government's demolition of church buildings and crosses as "illegal constructions."

Pastors and church members from across Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province recently wrote a letter to the government, asking them to stop the destruction of the religious buildings.

The letteroutlined eight reasons why destroying the churches and crosses are illegal, including allegations that "removal of the cross is not an administrative penalty, but the illegal administrative act," prior written notice is not given before cross removals, and that the persons doing the demolitions are not legal construction workers. They said that the destruction is done at night, with no notice, and without any court orders or other documentation.

The Christians pleas were ignored by the government, however, and less than a week later a cross was removed from Yahui Church in Pingyang County, Wenzhou City. International Christian Concern (ICC) also reportedthat the vandals threatened to harm the church members if they reported the removal to Beijing or the media.

ICC said that over 360 churches have been targeted in similar ways, but the government maintains that they are clearing illegal structures for urban development projects.

Allegedly, 15 churches in Pinyang County alone are scheduled to be demolished before the end of June. One churchmember said the government is out of control.

"The campaign has been unbridled and the government demolishes church crosses recklessly," they told ICC.

Another churchmember decried the blatant persecution of Chinese Christians.

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Church and cross demolitions continue in China: Christians plead for government to stop