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.

See the article here:
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.

Follow us Get CP eNewsletter

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.

Read the original post:
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.

View the time-lapse video of new Northview Church construction

Visit link:
Churches | Church Buildings | Church Builder | Church ...

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.

See original here:
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.

Read the rest here:
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.

The rest is here:
Church and cross demolitions continue in China: Christians plead for government to stop

Joe Achtemichuk loves his heritage. A Ukrainian by descent, he spent two years renovating a Ukrainian Orthodox Church on his ancestral land in order to honour his familys history in Rhein, Sask.

St. Elias (Orthodox Church) came about because my family was very involved in its initial construction being that my grandfather donated the land for it. My dad was crucial for getting the lumber for it, said Achtemichuk. I wanted to recognize them because they went through some extremely difficult times, especially my grandfather who was part of the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants that came to Canada.

Achtemichuks grandfather, Vasyl Palamaryk, left the Ukraine in 1900 to establish a homestead northeast of Rhein. He donated a portion of his land for the church in 1907. Palamaryks son, Jacob Achtemichuk, donated the spruce logs for its construction in 1912.

In 2011, Achtemichuk and his wife Tess along with his cousin, Winnipegger Horace Paulmark, began reconstruction.

When I drove by the church it appeared to be in a very bad state of disrepair. When I looked at it initially, I thought the only thing that could be done was to give it some dignity and replace it with a carne, said Achtemichuk.

After speaking with some locals, the retired pharmacist decided to preserve the church.

(After closer inspection) I found out that it was repairable and in fact it was remarkably in good shape, partly because the eves of the building pushed the water away from the foundation of the church. The roof is tin so its well preserved. The walls just needed some good paint, he said.

St. Elias is a Canadian-take on orthodox churches found in the Boyko region of the Ukraine, with a wide midway eave between the ground and the roof, which protects the walls of the structure from the elements. Apparently, there are very few of the Boyko-style churches left in the country that still contain the midway eave.

It took the Achtemichuks and Paulmark two years and $4,000 to complete renovations by 2013.

Read more here:
Rare Orthodox church rebuilt

A La Crescenta church started to rise from the ashes earlier this month as work got underway to rebuild it on the same site where it burned down nearly eight years ago during a choir rehearsal.

Ever since flames from an electrical fire destroyed the Christian Life Church, membership has dwindled and services have bounced around from place to place.

We went from about 100 people down to 25, said Pastor Randy Foster, who joined the church in 2010 in the midst of reviving the reconstruction project.

Roughly $2 million in insurance money is covering most of the building costs, but the real challenge that delayed the project was getting a design approved by the Glendale City Council, he said.

After multiple design iterations, the new church will be 7,500 square feet, which is smaller than the original building that had various sections dating back to the 1920s and 50s. New plans include a sanctuary with a enough seating room to accommodate 200 people.

Were only able to build half the size what we had before, Foster said, adding, Were still going to have a sanctuary with a couple hundred seats, thats just slightly smaller than the previous sanctuary.

Located at 3013 Montrose Ave., construction started on June 1, and a grand opening is slated for fall 2015, he added.

Churchgoer Deby Seal, along with her family, has been a Christian Life Church member since 1986 and was at the church during the fire, helping people get out.

She misses what was a big part of her life, but now feels nothing but excitement when she drives past the construction site and sees bits of progress each time.

It still brings a lot of emotion. We have waited a long time for this, she said. This church has been more like a family.

See the article here:
Reconstruction begins on church destroyed by fire

INDIANAPOLIS Investors will get 70 cents for every dollar they invested in an $85 million Ponzi scheme operated by a fundraising branch of the Church of God.

A federal judge in Indianapolis on Monday gave final approval to the terms ending the case. As part of those conditions, U.S. District Judge David Hamilton also granted permission for properties causing a financial drain on Church of God assets to be abandoned. The case is expected to be finalized in September or October.

Court documents said the Securities and Exchange Commission filed suit against the churchs prior fundraising organization in 2003, alleging it had defrauded investors who believed their money would go to church-related construction.

Instead, the judge said the leaders of the former fundraising organization used the money raised to make interest and principal payments to prior investors to cover up bad business decisions, the (Anderson) Herald Bulletin reported.

Its more of the same old cliche, if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging, Hamilton said.

The 70 percent payback will go to unsecured investors. Under those terms someone who invested $100,000 could receive about $70,000 back.

Much of the money has already been repaid. Hamilton has approved a final installment of about $750,000 before the case is closed. Any unclaimed funds would then go to the unclaimed property division of the Indiana attorney generals office.

Records show more than $73 million was recovered from the liquidation of church assets and other funding such as private contributions. However, part of that went for professional fees associated with the case.

Hamilton called the recovery of funds extraordinary.

Frank Johnson, president of the Reconstituted Board of Church Extension, said the new fundraisers were determined to recover as much money as possible for church members who had invested their money.

See the original post here:
Investors in church-related fraud get some money

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -

Behind the towers of scaffolding and dark plastic wrapping that mask St. Matthew's Lutheran Church are dozens of construction workers, committed to bringing the aging and dilapidated sanctuary back to life.

Renovations of the St. Matthew's Lutheran Church sanctuary at 405 King Street began in September 2013, but the initial idea was presented roughly three years ago.

Biemann Othersen, President of the Congregational Council at the church, says architecture firms were called in to inspect the church after signs of wear and tear became visible on the building next to the sanctuary. But one of the firms noticed an even more glaring issue after looking at the church from the roof of a nearby parking garage.

"When MCA Architecture came and made their presentation they said, 'We don't know why you're looking at this building, because your sanctuary needs a lot of work,'" Biemann recalled.

Torn shingles, holes in the roof, and water damage were just some of the issues architects discovered while inspecting the sanctuary. The initial estimate for the sanctuary renovations was set at $6.2 million with a completion date of November 2014, according to a capital campaign document drafted in 2012.

Those numbers would quickly change.

We were pretty much on target until we had the stucco problem, says Janelle Othersen, who is the chair of the renovation committee.

Janelle says workers were removing a protective, waterproof covering from the walls the coating was added during an earlier renovation as a safeguard, but ended up keeping water that had leaked in through the roof inside the walls when they decided to check on the strength of the stucco on the outside of the building.

They were checking the stucco around the building by slightly tapping it, as it was adhered to the bricks, and it just started crumbling, says Janelle. The more they tapped, the more it crumbled.

View original post here:
Renovations at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church press on with community support