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Laying of the cornerstone for Mt. Nebo's new addition (Photo: Toni Wetzel)

BY LINDA WORTHINGTON
UMCONNECTION STAFF

BOONSBORO – Some members of Mt. Nebo UMC remember talking about expansion and remodeling 20 years ago, and now in about two years, they have what they dreamed of: a three-story addition.

The new building on South Main Street includes two commercial kitchens, offices, music and choir room, nursery, 10 classrooms, and a Family Life Center with basketball/volleyball set-up, which can also accommodate large dinners, concerts and Boonsboro community events. Handicap accessible restrooms are on each floor; the main floor restroom also includes showers. An elevator accesses all three floors.

Nearly 200 people attended the ribbon cutting and dedication service Sept. 26. The Rev. Conrad Link, former pastor and now a Guide in the conference, led the service. It was followed by a luncheon and tours of the building.

To arrive at this point in the life of the church, the old had to first be removed. “We actually tore down a three-story part of the building that was an addition to the church added in the early 1900s,” said Toni Wetzel, whose husband, Rob Wetzel, chaired the building committee.

Ground was broken in June 2009. During construction the church rented space at Victory Baptist Church for the Mt. Nebo Christian Preschool with enrollment of approximately 175 children.

The church also runs an active after school program, picking children up from area elementary schools. Buses drop off Middle School children for the program, which includes Christian education as part of the curriculum.

The expansion cost almost $2.5 million, Rob Wetzel said. Church members are making up the $600,000 difference between the total and a $1.9 million loan

Proceeds from renting the Family Life Center space, and fundraising dinners will help pay the loan. “It didn’t take long for word to get out about that space,” Wetzel said.

A wedding party has booked in December and different organizations are interested in the basketball court, he said. In a year, “we will start a second three-year pledge for congregation members.”

Bishop John Schol spoke at a blessing and cornerstone laying Aug. 22. He reminded the congregation, “It’s not what people see or do inside the building, but what they have gotten to take with them when they leave the building that matters.” The congregation hoped to move in by the time school started, but delays in the permitting process postponed the dedication to Sept. 26.

The Scripture on the cornerstone reads: We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a Holy Temple for the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:21)