A historic downtown Lake Orion landmark will soon be on its way towards getting a new look.
The Lake Orion United Methodist Church, located on Flint Street, one block east of Broadway, will soon begin a project to expand the church at its current location.
The LOUMC’s board recently voted at a special church conference to approve the project. The church has been at its current location since 1902, and has a growing congregation of around 900 members.
With almost 200 people present at an April 26 meeting, LOUMC Associate Pastor Marge Munger said that nearly 92 percent approved a proposal by the Building Study Committee.
‘We plan to double our square footage,? she said, noting that the church is currently around 20,000 square feet.
‘We will use all of the property we currently have, and look to acquire additional property,? Munger said.
The church has formed a Building Committee of 11 people, and may add more. Munger said this committee will have several sub-committees that will oversee various parts of the project.
‘It’s likely that our expansion will take place in phases,? she said, noting that this is common with a project of such size.
‘We want to do the best we can to keep functioning during the construction,? she said. ‘We want to continue as a church with little disruption.?
Munger said that architectural plans could be in place by the end of the summer, but no date has yet been set for any type of ground breaking.
Stephen Auger and Associates Architects of Lake Orion were awarded the contract to provide architectural design services for the project.
‘We were inspired by the fact that the congregation saw the wisdom and benefit, to both the congregation and the community, of renovation and expansion of the current facility, and we are equally excited about the opportunity to design the project,? Auger said.
Auger added that churches are often looking to move out of their historic buildings and into places where construction costs are more predictable, and zoning and site constraints are more straightforward.
‘This decision is definitely not the path of least resistance, and will present many design challenges which ultimately leads to stronger architecture,? he said. ‘I think the entire Village of Lake Orion will benefit for the farsightedness of the congregation.?
Auger’s office is located in downtown Lake Orion, and is also responsible for the architectural design of the new Sagebrush Cantina restaurant.
Munger said financing for the project will involve a capital campaign that will help to raise the $6 or $7 million needed to fund the expansion.
‘Contributions of all sizes will be accepted,? she said, noting that most of the funding will likely come from personal donations.
The overwhelming vote to approve the expansion shows that the church and its members are willing to put in the effort to make the project successful.
‘The major decision was to first decide if we wanted to expand,? Munger said.
Munger and LOUMC Pastor Bruce Denton agreed that the whole project will take time, but will be well worth it in the end.
‘We’re looking at a major project,? Munger said. ‘It will be several years before we are finished.?
The children and youth facilities are among the top priorities for the project, which will also include redesigned office space, and an expansion/renovation to the sanctuary.
On the outside of the building, Munger said that one concern is parking, and noted that the project will help to increase that.
She said the church will be working with the village in regards to parking concerns, as well as with the Orion Township Fire Station #1 and Children’s Park, both of which sit behind the church.
No specific location or direction has yet been given as to where the expanded part of the building will be placed.
For donations or more information on the LOUMC’s expansiion project, please contact the church at 693-6201 or visit www.lakeorionumc.com.