Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Expansion of Hope Community Church on Shawano’s east side could start by September after aldermen Thursday approved plans to more than double the church’s footprint.
The Common Council voted unanimously to approve a permit for the church to enlarge its sanctuary and build an addition expanding the facility from 14,250 square feet to 33,350 square feet.
The estimated $2 million project could make Hope Community one of Shawano’s largest houses of worship.
Congregation member Vince Studer, who is the church’s expansion project leader, told city officials Thursday that Sunday attendance has doubled since the church opened its doors 10 years ago at 302 Tristan Drive.
“God has given us so many blessings,” he said.
Studer said later that church officials still need a state permit, but they anticipate no obstacles and they hope to launch construction by September.
Alderwoman Sandy Steinke, who represents the east-side neighborhood, said she welcomes the church’s ambitious endeavor. An expansion of that magnitude, Steinke said, could attract other types of positive new development to the area.
“It’s good to see a church grow,” she added.
Built in 2005 near state Highway 22 and County Road BE, the nondenominational church sometimes attracts more than 500 people for Sunday services.
Facilities for children’s activities have become particularly congested.
Plans submitted to the city show that the church’s 19,100-square-foot addition would include a family center nearly as large as the main sanctuary. The new space would function as a group area for a variety of games, seminars and other activities.
The plans also call for building several new classrooms, enlarging the sanctuary to accommodate an additional 150 people and creating a second main entrance on the building’s west side.
Parking on the church’s property would be expanded to make room for another estimated 135 vehicles.
No timetable has been announced for completing the expansion.
Before the Common Council vote Thursday, the plan commission held a public hearing on whether to issue a conditional use permit allowing the project to move forward. No one spoke in opposition or raised any concerns about the church’s plan.
Studer, who was accompanied by a representative of Bayland Buildings Inc., said he was gratified by the strong show of support.
“I’m very pleased that we’re able to work with the city,” he said.