Union Hill church sees expansion move forward
Congregation expects to be in new sanctuary come August
By Barbara Shoun
Contributing Writer
March 22, 2005
HOLTS SUMMIT — March 5 was a high point in more ways than one for the members of Union Hill Baptist Church at Holts Summit. This was the day the steeple was placed atop the church’s new sanctuary, and it served as a visible signal of what the Lord has been doing spiritually at Union Hill for the past several years.
Frank Whitney serves as pastor of the church and L. P. Cook serves as associate pastor.
In the last three years, the church has raised more than $600,000 of the anticipated $1.5 million cost for the new 400-seat sanctuary and classrooms. The building is so designed that classrooms can be converted to more sanctuary space, eventually seating up to 1,100 worshipers.
Some $40,000 was raised through a “talent drive” last November in which participating church members were issued small sums and asked to invest according to the parable of the talents. The church’s $1,300 investment was returned 30-fold.
“We had an exceptional blessing from the Lord just in that time. It was spiritually uplifting and maturing to see what we can do with the Lord’s blessing,” Cook said.
Other special events that have built excitement and spiritual growth in the church have been an “All in the Family” series on Sunday nights which attracted more than 100 people in regular attendance, a marriage retreat attended by 11 or 12 couples in the church, and the housing of a Sports Crusaders ministry on campus. A musical presentation for Easter is expected to be a special time of blessing for church members and visitors alike.
The church expects to begin using the new sanctuary in August.