The Vineyard began holding services at its Indian Ripple Road location in 2002 in an old lumber warehouse.
Roe says the church wants to keep the building the same style as the old one, so if the church ever decides to move, it could be transitioned into a business.
It is two stories high and contains an auditorium, elevator, several classrooms, a book store, coffee bar and even a lounge with a fireplace.
The expansion is adjacent to the old building, but it is not connected. Jim Alt of ALT Architecture Inc. is the architecture and construction manager. The church has about 3,000 members and is growing, according to Roe. The building will seat 1,600 people.
The expansion is 40,000 square feet, compared with the old building’s 48,000 square feet, Roe said.
The expansion has been funded by contributions from church members, Roe said. Many people pledged gifts during a three-year period. For example, someone pledged $180,000 for three years and is giving $5,000 a month, Roe said. The church started the capital fundraising campaign last year.
The original construction price tag was about $4 million, but Roe said it is now $2.5 million because steel prices are coming down. The remaining $500,000 will come from contributions.
The old building will be renovated and used for youth services, staff offices and a voting precinct during the election season. It also will also house a food pantry.
Roe said the Vineyard is not a typical church. The church takes no offering at services and plays modern music. He said the congregation is always thinking of activities.
The building is the first of more to come, the next expansion will likely be for a teen center.
“We would like to give the youth a place to go, to play sports or games, things like that,” Roe said.
For more information about the Vineyard Church, visit its Web site at www.daytonvineyard.com.
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