Linglestown church hopes to expand building

Bucking all the talk about a crummy economy, the church that sits on top of the hill overlooking the square in Linglestown is gearing up to do a major building expansion project.

Linglestown Life is putting the finishing touches on a master plan that would double the size of the building, Senior Pastor George Reynolds told Linglestown Gazette earlier this month.

The church received a zoning approval in December that was needed to proceed with planning, and a proposed master plan most likely will be unveiled to the congregation during March. Groundbreaking could take place this fall if the plan approval process with Lower Paxton Twp. doesn't hit a snag and the fund-raising goal is met.

Tentative plans calls for six to nine new classrooms, a family life center that would double as a gymnasium, and a hospitality area to be constructed in phases over the next few years. All the new facilities would be built on a portion of the parking lot located adjacent to the building's north side. (pictured; click on photo for larger version)

One goal of the project is to make the building a gathering place for Linglestown-area residents. Community groups would be invited to use the gym and meeting spaces. Plus, the hospitality area could be transformed from time to time into a cafe. It would be a kind of "Roasters North," said Pastor Reynolds.

The architect is using an energy-efficient design that includes a large bank of windows to help light the family life center/gymnasium, the future site of a weekly contemporary worship service that currently is heavily attended. The windows would provide a panoramic view of Blue Mountain.

To learn more about Linglestown Life, visit the church's Web site or call the church office at (717) 545-5200.
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* Linglestown Life is sponsoring a FREE men's event this Saturday, Feb. 21, that will feature pro football coaching great Tony Dungy. (Dungy won't be in Linglestown, but his speech will be shown live via satellite feed.) CLICK HERE for more details.

* B² thanks go out to Pastor Reynolds for being a big booster of Linglestown Gazette.