SOUTH VALLEY _ The future of a northern Otsego church looks brighter thanks to a family ministry center under construction, a couple of those involved with the project said Tuesday.
The roof on the new building, next to the existing church, is expected to be completed this month, said the Rev. Terry Brant, of the First Christian Church of South Valley. It is expected to be connected to the existing structure this fall, he said.
He was not sure when the 40-by-80-foot structure would be available for use. It could be two to three years, or more, he said, but it will be worth the wait.
About three-quarters of the new building will be used for a gymnasium, Brant said, with room included for two Sunday school classes and storage.
"We're really excited to see how God is blessing the congregation," he said.
The building is being financed through congregational donations, he said. About $75,000 of the $300,000 that will be needed has been collected, he said. The 60-member church, which was started in about 1835, is not planning on borrowing any money for the project.
Work began in 2006.
The construction is needed, Brant said, because there is no space to run a proper youth ministry now. The existing 30-by-40-foot space used for that purpose also has a kitchen and separate rooms.
"We feel with the technology of the culture, we really needed a youth facility," he said.
Extra room was needed for such activities as fellowship dinners and weddings, as the current space can be inadequate for those activities as well, Brant said.
Church deacon and trustee Charlie Christman said, "It is a big step for the church."
"One of the big things we are concerned about is reaching youth and giving them a good alternative," he added, as well as reaching their parents.
This building will accomplish both of those goals, the two men said.
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