Growing churches

Area churches are in the midst of a construction boom prompted by growing programs and congregations.

Two Baptist congregations -- one in Cape Girardeau and one in Jackson -- have purchased land on which they'll be building new places of worship. First Baptist Church intends to build a traditional-looking building at the corner of Lexington Avenue and Cape Rock Drive. A groundbreaking service is set for Sunday. In Jackson, CrossRoads Fellowship has selected a builder whose primary work is designing worship space that doesn't resemble an 18th century structure.

Not every church in the region is building a new home. Many churches are expanding their facilities to house growing numbers of worshippers.

La Croix United Methodist Church, already one of the city's paramount worship facilities, is getting an overhaul. When the church first built along Lexington near Route W, plans included expansions. Now the church is building a worship space designed specifically for its multimedia services. The new and older buildings will have matching facades once the project is complete.

Maple United Methodist Church also kept future expansion in mind when beginning work on its newest addition: a fellowship hall and classrooms. The church will use its new space for the first time Sunday on Friend Day. The addition offers an expanded kitchen and multipurpose room suited for church dinners and craft bazaars. Classroom space also is included, and the building could easily accommodate a second floor should the congregation need the space later.

First Presbyterian Church needed more education space and an elevator. So the church began a building project that expanded its space but blended the new and old to look like one facility. The new work gives the church more meeting space, an atrium, handicap-accessible rest rooms and a remodeled library and parlor areas. A dedication is planned in October.

These projects aren't just good for the congregations involved. They offer a boost to the community as well. Southeast Missouri has a strong religious heritage that continues today, as evidenced by these growing and thriving congregations.