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Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia, Wash., achieved “substantial completion” one year ago of its first new construction project in approximately 30 years. Wayne McGuire, the congregation’s finance officer, added that detail work is being completed on a 12,850 square-foot expansion that was envisioned during a three-year planning process. The project was funded by a $2.3 million Mission Investment Fund (MIF) loan and a congregational fund-raising campaign.

The congregation is located in a high-growth area on a major street near a large shopping mall. Additionally, a mix of single-family homes and apartments is nearby. The 800-member congregation determined that it needed to make room for young families moving into the area.

The almost-completed project adds versatility to the congregation’s original building, which was constructed in 1950, as well as to the sanctuary that was completed in 1968. The expansion provides education, office, kitchen, choir and congregational and community meeting space, as well as room for the Stephen Ministry, parish nurse program, and confirmation and senior high youth ministries.

The project also has resulted in a more well-defined main entrance, improved landscaping, better traffic flow in the parking lot and additional multi-use space, including for a contemporary worship service and a new preschool ministry.

“God reaches out to us, so I asked the members to see where God might be leading us,” said the Rev. Philip Rue, pastor of Gloria Dei. The visioning process included a diverse group of congregation members to maximize learning and sharing of perspectives.

MIF then helped Gloria Dei to develop its dreams into concrete building and financing plans. “It was easy to work with the MIF building consultant,” said McGuire, Gloria Dei’s finance officer, “especially when complications drew out the project longer than expected. MIF staff continued to look for ways to make it possible for us to do what we wanted to do.”