Churches get to work on building

Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church is one of many houses of worship in the Augusta area overdue for renovation.

"We've got roof issues. We've got heating and air conditioning issues," the Rev. Dan Brown said. "We need more space."

The church launched a $7 million capital campaign during the summer and wants to break ground by January.

It's not the first time.

"Our original plan was to start last January," the pastor said. "We were going to break ground this past summer. In light of the economy, we held off. We needed to be sensitive to what our people are experiencing."

Now, his church is one of several to move forward in the past few months with renovations and expansions to take advantage of building costs that fell with the market. It's one of many multimillion-dollar projects in the works at places of worship across the area.

"In terms of costs, there will never be a better time than right now," the Rev. Brown said.

The project includes a $5.9 million upgrade to the sanctuary and a $1.1 million youth building with seating for 400.

Next week, Fleming Baptist Church will break ground for an education facility off Peach Orchard Road. The three-story, 2,200-square-foot building will cost $2.1 million.

"It comes out to $100 per square foot. You can hardly get a house for that amount," said the Rev. Billy Atkins, Fleming's pastor. "It's a two-sided coin. The economy is struggling. People are hurting. It's a challenging thing to move forward. On the other side, we were able to get a tremendous deal on our contract because contractors are looking for work."

It's a decision he hopes will pay off.

"We're not a business. We're a church, and we have this spiritual source we can draw on," the Rev. Atkins said. "It's a step of faith but it's one that we think is worth taking."

The Islamic Society of Augusta is planning a $4.5 million facility at Old Petersburg Road at Old Evans Road in Martinez.

"The mosque has to grow. The space is overcrowded," said Hossam Fadel, the chairman of the New Mosque Project.

They want to break ground on the facility, which will seat an average of 424 people but can be modified for up to 1,220 to worship, by the end of the year.

"Fifty percent of our people say it's too hard to build. Fifty percent say that now is the time," Mr. Fadel said. "We decided now had to work."

The building includes a basketball court, classrooms, youth lounge, locker rooms, offices and a kitchen.

The Rev. Bill Harrell understands the temptation to delay big projects when the economy is suffering, but for his congregation at Abilene Baptist Church, there wasn't much choice.

Last year, the church demolished an educational building and old sanctuary to make room for a three-story, 5,300-square-foot addition.

The $6.7 million building will house classrooms for children and adults, office space, a lounge and a coffee shop.

"We were already deep into ours when this recession started," the Rev. Harrell said. "There was only one thing to do and it was to keep on going. We trust the Lord to provide and he has."

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.