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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Monday, March 16, 2009 12:22 PM

Ottawa church eyes Hawthorne for new home

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

An Ottawa church looking for a new home has its sights set on Hawthorne Elementary School.

Members of Grace Community Fellowship Church presented a proposal to Ottawa school board members last week to lease the vacant school at 501 S. Poplar St.

The board took no action on the proposal, though board members said they would take it under advisement.

Harold Wingert presented information about the church and its intentions for the space if an arrangement can be worked out with the school district.

He said the space could be used for many things, including Sunday worship services and Sunday School, evening youth events, adult Bible study, Vacation Bible School and more.

Wingert said the church has 140 charter members and an average attendance of 185 people.

He said plans and goals for the future include holiday services and activities, after-school programming and events to draw in teenagers looking for safe and fun activities.

“We want to create something to give these teens a place to go,” Wingert said.

Community uses could include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, homeschool groups, grief support, Alcoholics Anonymous and more, he said.

The church proposed a lease agreement of $1,000 per month for two years with an option to purchase the school at $85,000.

Board member Marge Stevens asked about long-term intentions for the school.

Wingert said while church officials haven’t fully discussed those, the church would never completely abandon the building or change it significantly.

“We believe the building has a lot to offer the way it is,” he said. “I think it’ll serve the needs.”

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.

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Ottawa church eyes Hawthorne for new home

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.