COUPLE RENOVATE HISTORIC OCEANSIDE CHURCH

They saw closing of the 1886 building as an opportunity

When their church building in downtown Oceanside closed in the spring to curtail the spread of the coronavirus at large gatherings, one Oceanside couple did not see it as a setback. They saw it as an opportunity.

For Marshall and Beth Booth, the shutdown meant an opportunity to work on the long-overdue renovation of the historic 134-year-old church that Beth grew up in.

What started as a bathroom renovation after one of the toilets flooded during the early months of the pandemic grew into a massive overhaul of the three-story, 11,560-square-foot historic structure built in 1886.

The Booths, both members of Calvary Chapel Living Hope, had been pondering renovation ideas for several years to present to the congregation. The couple, who have built and renovated homes from Del Mar to Rancho Santa Fe, decided to donate their services to renovate the iconic church. Every few years, the couple’s Oceanside-based designbuild firm called Spaces Renewed does a big charity project for the community. This year the Booths decided to embark on rebuilding the church.

“While folks from this church go out and serve the physical and spiritual needs of the community, we felt we could serve the needs of the physical building that we all call home,” said Beth Booth, who has called Calvary

Chapel her church home for 25 years.

“When COVID happened and the church building was shut, it opened a door for us and we figured we’d jump on it and get as much work done as we could while folks were not gathering there,” Marshall Booth said.

The effort included renovating the sanctuary and fellowship hall that together seat 300 people, along with remodeling other meeting rooms and rebuilding five bathrooms.

While the project involved modernizing the church and upgrading the electrical wiring to accommodate audio-visual improvements, such as streaming live feeds, the Booths didn’t want the building to lose its historical charm as an iconic piece of Oceanside history.

“To keep in line with the history of the building, we are using vintage materials with a modern flair. We’re also using elements that have a coastal vibe since we’re so close to the beach,” Beth said.

The renovation uses vintage coastal materials such as exposed brick, plaster and cement tile along with white classic marble.

The Booths outfitted the church with Internet and audio/video that will be operated via a new “control center” running throughout each room.

The remodeled main sanctuary has new walls and lighting along with office space for the pastoral staff, a conference room and more space for college and specialty classes.

Beyond the structural and extensive floor plan renovations, the redesign included many upgrades to help the congregation in its efforts to feed the homeless, offer drug and alcohol counseling, and host weddings and family counseling along with Bible studies and outreach ministries.

“Our new church will be big enough to offer all of the programs, prayer groups, kids ministry and serving opportunities that a big church has to offer — but small enough to know everyone and build real, lasting, deep relationships and friendships,” said Pastor Brad Lambert, who has also served as the Oceanside Fire Department chaplain for 10 years. Calvary Chapel Living Hope was established on Easter Sunday 1995 and began as an outreach ministry through Calvary Chapel Vista.

Renovation work started May 1 and was completed two months later in early July .

The Booths donated more than $150,000 in design and construction services to the project, which in total cost roughly $250,000. Donors including members of Calvary Chapel and other churches in the community rallied to support the effort with funding, labor and supplies.

Donors included family and friends and local businesses along with industry and trade partners of Spaces Renewed. Donations are still being collected.

“It was a labor of love,” Beth said. “We just hope people will be inspired in this space to just go out and be a blessing to those around them,” Beth said.

A celebration is slated for 9:30 a.m. today at the church, 625 Seagaze Drive. Face masks required; social distancing and other health mandates will be observed. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, firstserved basis.

The service will also be livestreamed. Visit cclivinghope.org.

The church, seen in this 1948 photo, served a Methodist congregation.

CALVARY CHAPEL LIVING HOPE PHOTOS Calvary Chapel Living Hope at 625 Seagaze Drive was established in 1995.

Marshall and Beth Booth were assisted by family, friends, businesses and industry and trade partners.