Under a cloudy sky, about 250 members of St. Paul Lutheran Church stood to hear the words of Rev. Albert Zoller and to see a shovel full of dirt being turned over. Even though the sun wasn't given room to peek through, there weren't enough clouds in the sky to dampen the spirits of those in attendance. After worshipping in a small chapel for 12 years, with a flick of the shovel, the Hilton congregation became one major step closer to having something it desperately needed - a church. Diana Hendershot, a long-time member of the church and a teacher at St. Paul's Christian day school, said Sunday, May 16, was one of St. Paul's brightest days in recent history. "This groundbreaking ceremony meant a great deal to me," said Hendershot. "It was an acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by past congregations and a look toward expanding our ministry into the community." St. Paul Lutheran Church has been part of the Village of Hilton community for more than 100 years. Founded in 1898, the church serves a congregation of about 500 members. In 1992, St. Paul decided to demolish its former church due to structural concerns. The new 11,000 sq. ft. facility will be joined by a connecting hallway to the existing school and will sit on a hilltop. This air-conditioned handicap accessible complex includes a 350-plus seat sanctuary, church offices, a meeting room, a reading/lounge, and lavatories. Church officials anticipate that the building will be completed by Christmas. |
