New Sanctuary 1988-2000

New Sanctuary

Another giant step in our journey of faith was Phase II of our expansion plans.  With amembership of 3,000+, we needed a larger sanctuary, more classrooms and a fellowship hall.  After much work by committees for building and finance and much thought and prayer by the congregation, the church  approved a $1.8 million building project for a new sanctuary and renovation of the old.  Our first worship service in the new 1,200 seat sanctuary was November 20, 1988, with Reverend Henry Radde serving as senior pastor.

The old sanctuary was converted into classrooms with accordion walls that could be opened up for use as a fellowship hall, and the former over-flow room was converted into a modern kitchen designed to serve large groups.  It is now called the Anderson Center in honor of Reginald and Edna Anderson, loyal supporters of the church whose roots go back to Isham Chapel.

In June 1996, when with forming of a Long Range Planning Committee, another milestone in the great legacy of First United Methodist Church was begun.

After determining the congregation's vision of where we wanted to go and what our needs were to make that vision a reality, First United Methodist Church completed a successful stewardship campaign and formed its Building Committee.  In December 1998, the first phase of our Building Project began with the addition of new parking area and an entrance on Pipeline Road.