First Lutheran building projects to be dedicated

In the newly renovated First Lutheran Church sanctuary, the Rev. Matt Miller (back, right) and several church members stand around the baptismal font that was designed and built by church members. The entire sanctuary was renovated along with new additions built onto the church in the five-year, $2.1 million project.

Most of the pieces are in place, though the complex project appeared much like a colossal jigsaw puzzle five years ago.

After months of planning and construction, the two-story structure of First Lutheran Church on South State Street now stands as a state-of-the-art masterpiece, from the gleaming new sanctuary floor and polished organ console to the climate-controlled heating system and a stylish, welcoming portico.

And no one could be more proud and pleased than members of First Lutheran, even though the final tab rings up at about $2.1 million.

The church will celebrate with a dedication of the work at its 10:30 a.m. service Sunday. Bishop Leonard Bolick of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod will be the guest speaker. There will be an open house and tours of the facility from 1:30 until 4 p.m. with members of the congregation serving as guides.

"We are really excited," said First Lutheran pastor Matt Miller in regard to the new surroundings. "It means a lot to the congregation. It means having space, and we don't have to worry about the roof leaking."

Prior to the work, the church had no central air conditioning or heating system in its hallways. A climate-controlled heating and air system has been installed.

The original structure was built in 1959 with a parsonage next door. Over the years the parsonage was repurposed, then eventually razed. The new project included renovations as well as additions, and the area of work encompasses the space where the parsonage once stood. The project took place in two phases.

"It was extremely complicated," said Lee Conrad Jr., who serves as renovation chairman for the church. "We had some asbestos and structural problems."

Another challenge during the process was storage space.

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First Lutheran building projects to be dedicated