SACRED HEART - One day short of the six-month anniversary of the fire that destroyed Hawk Creek Lutheran Church in rural Sacred Heart, 72 voting members of the congregation Sunday unanimously approved a plan to rebuild the church.
"It is a tremendous joy to me," Pastor Dan Bowman said.
While everyone Bowman talked to after the fire said they wanted to rebuild, it was not until a few weeks ago it became clear rebuilding was possible, Bowman said.
In September, a building committee was formed to begin working on a plan for a possible new church. The congregation needed to know what the new building could look like and an estimated cost before making the final decision to move forward with the project.
"We had to find out if it was in our reach. What the costs are and what our options are," Bowman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The building committee, with help from Morton Buildings Inc., has created a vision of a one-story church at the same location as the old one. It will provide not only a space for the 203-member congregation to worship, but also a multiuse space for the larger community.
"We want our church to be available," Bowman said.
There are many projects on the church's wish list, including geothermal heating and air, a steel roof and stained glass windows. Bowman said the church members know some of those things will have to be cut to keep the project on budget.
"We'll have to work within our budget," Bowman said.
Proceeds from the church's insurance policy totaled $1.5 million. Bowman said the plan is to spend $1.2 million for the church structure, $200,000 for the building's contents and another $100,000 for contingency. The preliminary estimate for the new building, without geothermal, sits at $1.46 million, Bowman said.
In the next couple of months, the church will begin to bid out the project. Then it will have firm numbers to decide what projects are feasible and what might have to wait.
"We'll have a better idea," Bowman said.
Construction could start this spring, as soon as weather and ground conditions permit. The hope is to have the church, or at least most of it, completed by Christmas.
ADVERTISEMENT
"That is the dream. At least we'll have a good start," Bowman said.
The original building, which was over 140 years old, was struck by lightning July 23. The resulting fire destroyed most of the structure, except for the education wing on the east side. Some of the church's contents, including the baptismal font and altar, survived the flames. Bowman hopes the original pulpit can be restored as well and placed in the new church.
"One of the things we've had to do is create an area where these things can be displayed," Bowman said.
Since the fire Bowman said Hawk Creek Lutheran has seen an outpouring of support from churches and individuals across the region, many wanting to know how they can help.
"We have just been overwhelmed by the generosity of so many. People have stepped up out of their way to help us, encourage us and pray for us," Bowman said.
While there will be many decisions to be made in the coming weeks and months, Bowman is confident it will all end with a brand new church for Hawk Creek Lutheran.
"We are all pulling together. We all want the best for Hawk Creek. Overall it is going to be a wonderful thing for us. We're not just getting back what we had, but envisioning a brand new future for us," Bowman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
