The New Lowell United Church is asking for council’s support as it embarks on an expansion project that will make the church fully accessible.
Building committee chair June Robinson addressed council Monday saying the church is applying for a building permit with the hope of starting the renovation in the spring.
The congregation has been raising funds for seven years and is almost at its goal. A quote more than three years old, pegs the project at $350,000 but it is expected that figure could go up.
The 1,100 square foot addition will include a new entrance with power doors and a lift, family washroom and new staircases to the sanctuary and lower level, a common area with coffee service station and permanent projection screen and a new furnace.
As part of the application, the church is applying for an encroachment agreement to address parking needs.
The new addition will include two stained glass windows purchased from the United Church in Avening, which was shuttered last year. Robinson said the congregation was very pleased to be able to purchase the windows because Avening and New Lowell are part of the same group of churches, the Creemore Pastoral Charge.
Robinson told council New Lowell United Church was established 142 years ago. The original church was destroyed in a fire in 1908 and it was rebuilt the following year.