WILLMAR - Calvary Lutheran Church has purchased the Bethesda Heritage property, with plans to use it for future development.
The building and grounds went up for sale last year when Bethesda completed construction of new skilled-care beds at its Pleasant View campus. Residents and staff from Bethesda Heritage moved to their new location on Willmar Avenue, now known as Bethesda Grand, in September.
Calvary had been eyeing the property at Third Street and Olena Avenue Southeast, which is across the street to the west of the church, for some time, said Dion Warne, church president.
"It gives us an opportunity do some things. It makes our footprint bigger," he said of the purchase.
Calvary's landlocked site has been a barrier for addressing future needs such as expansion or renovation, Warne said.
One need that's high on the list is to remodel the church narthex so it's on the same level as the worship space, he said. "We'd like to make the current building a little more access-friendly."
A building committee will soon start exploring some options.
In the meantime, Calvary will raze the former nursing home when spring comes. Bids are being sought for the demolition, which should be complete by early to mid-summer. The oldest portions of the building date back to the 1950s
Part of the property also will be used for additional parking for Calvary.
It will take some time for Calvary to decide the best use for the rest of the space, Warne said. "It might just be an open space for awhile."
Besides being next-door neighbors for many years, Calvary has had a long-standing relationship with Bethesda Health and Housing as one of its sponsor churches.
"It was nice to be able to work with our neighbor," Warne said.
1/5: Calvary Lutheran Church bought the old Bethesda Heritage building (background) across the street on Olena Avenue Southeast in Willmar. The church plans to raze the former nursing home to make way for additional parking initially, and a building committee will explore options for the rest of the space. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune)
2/5: Residents of the former Bethesda Heritage participate in a parade Sept. 13 down 11th Avenue Southeast in Willmar to celebrate their move to new skilled-care beds at Bethesda's Willmar Avenue campus, now called Bethesda Grand. The Bethesda Heritage property on Third Street Southeast has now been sold to Calvary Lutheran Church. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune file photo)
3/5: Residents of the former Bethesda Heritage participate in a parade Sept. 13 down 11th Avenue Southeast in Willmar to celebrate their move to new skilled-care beds at Bethesda's Willmar Avenue campus, now called Bethesda Grand. The Bethesda Heritage property on Third Street Southeast has now been sold to Calvary Lutheran Church. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune file photo)
4/5: A sign for Colliers International stands Monday in front of the old Bethesda Heritage Center on Third Street Southeast in Willmar. The building has been sold to Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. The church plans to raze the former nursing home for additional parking, and a building committee will determine plans for the rest of the space. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune)
5/5: Passersby watch Sept. 13 as residents of the former Bethesda Heritage participate in a parade down 11th Avenue Southeast in Willmar to celebrate their move to new skilled-care beds at Bethesda's Willmar Avenue campus, now called Bethesda Grand. The Bethesda Heritage property on Third Street Southeast has now been sold to Calvary Lutheran Church. (Briana Sanchez / Tribune file photo)
