First Presbyterian Church of Fenton to Receive $1.6 Million Renovation

It’s been 10 years in the making, but the in Fenton will receive a long-awaited renovation this spring.

Pastor Dale Swihart said the construction will include a $1.6 million renovation and expansion.

“Ten years ago we wanted more storage space. That led us to the realization that our building wasn’t adequate for some of our programming,” he said. “The project has been in the works for a long time, and we are extremely excited and anxious to have it completed."

The project will include a larger fellowship hall, which will allow space for about 250 people, compared with the 100 it can currently accommodate. The church has nearly 500 members.

"We can't even fit half our congregation now," said Gary Young, co-chairman of the Building Renovation Committee with Bob Chappelle. "We are going to be much more efficient."

Changes will also be made to the office areas, as they will be consolidated in one location. The narthex will also be enlarged, an additional youth room will be constructed and the kitchen will be overhauled.

"The guys and gals cooking are looking forward to that," Young said. "The kitchen is pretty outdated."

The church will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Sunday after the 11 a.m. service.

Swihart said the church raised funds through donations in a campaign held four years ago and which was renewed last year.

While worship will remain in the sanctuary, nearly the rest of the facility will have to be vacated during about six months of construction, which is expected to begin in May. The general contractor for the project is Rand Corporation and the architect is Lindhout and Associates, both of Howell.

The congregation was organized in 1840 as the First Presbyterian Church of Fentonville. Its first building, which was located on the southwest corner of Adelaide and Rockwell, burned in 1861. The new building was completed at its current location in 1864 and remodeled in 1899. The last major renovation to the facility was completed in the early 1960s when an education wing was added.

"We've been working on the design for two years," Young said. "We are absolutely looking forward to it."