School offers gym for church activities

The Calvary Fellowship Downingtown Church will host some of its activities in a Downingtown school.

The Calvary Fellowship Downingtown Church will host some of its activities in a Downingtown school following a partial roof collapse at the church.

The Downingtown Area School Board members agreed during a recentmeeting to allow the church staff to use the gym at EastWard Elementary School in Downingtown Borough for the church’s special needs basketball program.

The board members unanimously voted towaive the rental and energy fees for the use of the gym for the church activities. The church will pay for any additional custodial costs that are incurred outside of the regular custodial schedule, school boardmember Jane Bertone announced.

Bertone said the school district has used the church in Uwchlan Township for after-school activities and also during emergencies. She said she supported returning that favor to the church staff.

“Calvary Fellowshiphas beena wonderful neighbor to the school district. They have allowed us to use their building and parking lots numerous times. They will not accept rent,” Bertone said. “I think this is a great way for us to show our appreciation.”

Heavy snow on the roof of the Calvary Fellowship Downingtown church caused about one third of the auditorium roof to collapse on Jan. 23. Additionally there was flooding in that area of the church.

Lee Wiggins, the senior pastor of Calvary Fellowship, estimates that the Sunday services will be held in the gym for about a year until the auditorium is ready. Wiggins said some church activities may be impacted because they are holding the sermons in the gym instead of the auditorium.

The church staff set up chairs in the gymfor the congregation. Additionally, they need to bring sound and lighting equipment that can be used in that area.

“Calvary Fellowship has been a wonderful neighbor to the school district. They have allowed us to use their building and parking lots numerous times. They will not accept rent. I think this is a greatway for us to show our appreciation.”

- Jane Bertone, Downingtown area school board member

PETE BANAN- DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA A crane lifts gear to the roof of Calvary Fellowship Downingtown Church on Jan. 26for repairs after the auditorium roof collapsed. The church has permission to use a gymat a Downingtown school for activities.