Addition to be used for classes and programs
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse is tucked away off Center Road on Old Mission Peninsula.
The woodsy setting is home to a congregation of 200 members. About five years ago, they began raising money to build an addition, which was recently completed. The new 1,600-square-foot space includes classrooms and a room outfitted for children. The project broke ground last fall.
The Rev. Chip Roush, senior minister, said the addition will accommodate church and community uses.
"We call it program space. Religious education on Sunday mornings is a big piece of that, committee meetings and then we hope to rent it out and donate it out to community groups," he said.
The original structure, which features a sanctuary with large windows, was completed in the early 1990s. The congregation's local history dates to 1964. Prior to the construction of its Center Road building, services were held at various venues including Northwestern Michigan College and the Friends Meeting House at the corner of Fifth and Oak streets in Traverse City.
The congregation grew from about 140 to 250 members since building its own place for fellowship, Roush said. He said membership numbers declined some after the departure of a longtime minister. An interim minister held the position for a couple years before Roush took the spot more than three years ago.
Members come from throughout the area. There are also Unitarian Universalist groups that meet in Benzie County and Petoskey.
Roush wants to continue to welcome community groups' use of the building. A Buddhist meditation group meets there periodically as well as a dance group. A seminar on collaborative divorce has also taken place on site.
A public open house is planned to dedicate the new addition at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 28, after the morning services. The church is located at 6726 Center Road. For more information, visit the Web site www.uucgt.org.
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