Work is well underway on the Ladner United Church renovation and restoration project as the vision for the heritage building is beginning to take shape.
During a recent tour of the construction site, Rev. Jim Short and Steve Knoblauch of RAM Construction highlighted some of the features of the project.
"The entrance was designed to make a statement," Short said as construction workers continued their work around him.
The new entrance, which features two pillars, leads into the main hall of the church, while the back doors will lead to a large patio and a community garden.
The sanctuary, which is part of the original building, is being expanded and restored.
Modern wood paneling has been removed to reveal the original wainscoting, the original fir floors will be restored and many windows have been saved.
Knoblauch has an obvious passion for heritage restoration work - his company recently restored the former Ladner Baptist Church building - and is doing the work on the church at his own cost in return for the remaining land, which will be developed into townhouses. The church, constructed in the Gothic Revival style of architecture, has served the community for 120 years.
It opened in 1893 as St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and served that congregation until 1925 when it merged with the Ladner Methodist Church and became Ladner United.
The building has undergone some changes over the years. It was raised in the 1930s to allow for the construction of a basement. A hall was added to the south of the original building in 1938 and in the 1970s, a large, single-storey addition was constructed on the west side of the church.
At the back of the church, an area referred to as the Heritage Hall is being renovated to serve as a multi-purpose room that will also house the emergency extreme weather shelter. The room will include an area for beds, a separate shower and bathroom, as well as a small kitchen.
"It's got all kinds of potential," Short said, adding the church is absorbing the additional cost because it will serve the greater community.
The restored Ladner United Church will feature more multi-purpose rooms and a new kitchen.
"People are really excited," Short said.
Work will continue through the winter with a completion sometime next spring.
The church is launching a fundraising campaign to help cover the remaining costs of about $400,000 associated with the project.
Work on the townhouse development on the south side of the church property is expected to start in March. Delta council approved the project in the summer.
There are three homes on the land - two slated for demolition, while the third will possibly be saved and moved by a third party - to make room for 15 townhouses.
