The tough economy has stalled expansion for businesses across the country and in South Dakota, but it's not slowing down one Sioux Falls church. Saturday, Our Savior's Lutheran Church is dedicating a 70,000 square foot addition to its original building, a project that cost millions of dollars and gives the congregation hope for the future.
For the people at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, an expansion project seven years in the making is in its final chapter. It took 21 months of construction to create a second worship center, fellowship area, and more classrooms for the 3,800 congregation members to use.
Until now, the church had been holding services in the sanctuary and in the basement, which made getting to know other members difficult.
"A lot of times, we wouldn't always see the people that were worshipping in the other spaces," said church member Lisa Jervik.
"We need to provide opportunities to just develop that fellowship and community with one another," said Senior Pastor Les Svendsen. "That happens in worship by what we do, but the important piece is where people get a chance to sit, talk, share their lives with each other."
Although it's not quite finished yet, the new addition has been put to use for the past couple weeks, and church members are impressed by what they've seen so far.
"I think everybody walks in and says, 'Wow'. This space really seems to promote hospitality and connectedness, and I think it feels very comfortable here," said Jervik.
The 70,000 square foot addition onto Our Savior's Lutheran Church doubles the size of the building, giving the congregation more room to grow.
"We aren't looking to be the largest church in Sioux Falls. We just want to be a church that provides people with opportunities to help people grow in their faith," said Svendsen.
Even so, church members hope to someday see every seat filled.
Church officials say the new addition cost more than $12 million to build and that they had raised $9.5 million before the recession hit. They plan to hold a capital campaign to raise the rest of the money in the next year or two.
