Progress made on rebuilding of First Lutheran Church

After an intentionally set fire severely damaged First Lutheran Church in Lorain in August 2014, the church’s new building has reached a major milestone, according to a news release. Now fully enclosed, the new church will provide worship for up to 300 people, offices, fellowship to seat 150, classrooms and multi-use areas for outreach programs. Worship space accommodates a new pipe organ to replace the historic instrument that was destroyed, the release said.

The 22,000-square-foot design also provides excellent security and safety provisions, and accessibility, key for First Lutheran’s work within the community, the release continued. The church hosts a food pantry and meals for the needy.

The fire wasn’t the first time First Lutheran faced adversity. When the great Lorain tornado of 1924 hit, the original church was under construction but was spared most damage. It immediately opened an emergency soup kitchen, showing the care for the community for which it is still known, the release went on.

It continued, First Lutheran conducted a nationwide search to find planning and design partners and as a result, team members from greater Milwaukee; Cleveland, Avon and Huron; Albuquerque; Tacoma and Austin are involved in this important rebuilding effort. In fact, all the subcontractors are local. Thomas and Marker from Columbus and Bellefontaine is the construction manager. The church is expected to open in the fall of 2017.

For more information on First Lutheran Church, or to donate to rebuilding efforts, visit www.firstlutheranlorain.org. For more information on GROTH Design Group, visit www.gdg-architects.com.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GROTH DESIGN GROUP / MILWAUKEE, WI. The new First Lutheran Church in Lorain is now fully enclosed.