Construction begins on St. Matthew’s sanctuary
GREENVILLE—St. Matthew United Methodist Church has started construction to fix a longtime structural problem with its sanctuary building.
An official “sledgehammer ceremony” groundbreaking for the church was held Sunday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m.
Founded in Greenville in 1955, St. Matthew’s current sanctuary was built in 1967. The first service in it was Oct. 15, 1967.
The sanctuary has had a water intrusion problem for more than 50 years. Without this repair, the building would no longer be safe for occupants in the future.
It is a $3.4 million project. Almost $2 million was raised through a capital campaign called The Beyond Initiative, and $1.7 million dollars was raised by selling additional land. The current phase is being called “Renew, Restore, Refresh.”
Construction started Sept. 9 and is scheduled to be finished in April. Mavin Construction is handling the project, and LS3P supported the team with the design of the new façade.
The sledgehammer ceremony took place with church members Mike Shull, Mike Wattenbarger, Don Smith, Hugh Edmonds, Clay Little, Kary Mitchell, Eric Mitchell, Claire Winkler and pastor the Rev. Kurt McPherson.
Those participating in the sledgehammer ceremony struck the exterior wall with gold sledgehammers. The exterior wall is a part of the original building construction. Since then, parts of the exterior wall have deteriorated beyond repair due to water intrusion.
Starting in 2019, Mavin Construction has been helping St. Matthew evaluate the extent of damage to the existing structure while supporting the design and consideration of different materials to replace the façade and protect the structure for future generations.
Balancing the equation between budget, scope and aesthetics was challenging, and the solution being put into place warranted the unique sledgehammering of the existing veneer that has troubled the church for such a long period.
McPherson is the third minister to oversee the Building Committee’s project. The others were the Revs. Steve Brown and Stuart Smith.
“I am very grateful for the past ministers who led St. Matthew to the place where we find ourselves today, actually solving and fixing the structural problems of our sanctuary building,” McPherson said. “I am also especially amazed at the level of giving by the congregation. They have truly gone above and beyond with their financial support. I am so very grateful and honored to serve as their pastor.”
The sledgehammer ceremony was held after a combined worship service in the Family Life Center at 10:00 am. After the ceremony, a catered lunch was served in the Family Life Center.