May 24, 2007 in Voices

Plymouth Congregational will remodel building

By The Spokesman-Review
 
Christopher Anderson photo

Plymouth Congregational Church is planning a remodeling project this summer.
(Full-size photo)

New pastor on board

» Not only is Plymouth Congregational Church getting a facelift, but the church recently hired a new pastor as well.

» The Rev. Floyd Schneider, who has been at Plymouth since August, is working hard to bring in new members.

» Schneider has taught Bible study around the world, spent many years in Austria and helped smuggle Bibles into Eastern Europe during the Cold War.

» ”I never thought God would bring us back to the Northwest,” he said.

» Originally from Colorado, Schneider attended seminary in Portland before he and his wife moved overseas. He is fluent in German and English and also speaks Spanish, French and Russian.

» Schneider, who fought in Vietnam as a squad leader in the 101st Airborne and was wounded in 1968, teaches a class on the book of Psalms at the local branch of Moody Bible Institute and also has taught Islamic studies in other places.

» He was challenged to increase the size of the Plymouth congregation, which had dwindled to about 85 members before he arrived.

» It now has about 105 members.

»  “We’re seeing new faces,” said Robert Coltrin, church council moderator.

» One of the ways Schneider, who is a Realtor on the side, tries to find new members is by making visitors feel welcome.

» He formed a greeting ministry; its members greet visitors with smiles and a list of the church’s beliefs and amenities. The free packets of coffee are nice, too.

» ”For me,” Schneider said, “the bottom line is teaching the Bible.” He says he looks to the Bible for answers in everyday life and teaches it verse by verse.Schneider says he is enjoying his new church and its members.

» ”Jesus Christ will be the center of this church,” he said.

Plymouth Congregational Church is getting a makeover.

Until 40 years ago, the building at 1502 W. Eighth Ave. housed a Jewish synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, until it merged with Keneseth Israel Synagogue to become Temple Beth Shalom.

The building, which opened in 1928, still bears some of the symbols of Judaism. The 200-pound chandeliers in the church are encircled with menorahs, and the sign carved over the doors of the front entryway reads, “Have we not all one Father.”

Robert Coltrin, remodeling project manager and church council moderator, said the old symbols will stay because they are part of the building’s history.

“I think people would be very distraught at the thought of getting rid of those,” he said.

Plymouth added its own touches of Christianity when it moved in, such as crosses, stained-glass windows and paintings of Jesus that were created by a church member.

The old building doesn’t include any restrooms on the main floor. All the restrooms are in the basement, and the church installed a lift that moves up and down the stairs to provide wheelchair access.

According to Coltrin, the first phase of the remodeling project will focus on the Colony Room. Much like a fellowship hall, the room includes a kitchen, tables and lots of room for wedding receptions and after-church gatherings.

The church offices will be moved to space in the Colony Room so new restrooms can be installed in the current church office space on the main floor during the second phase of the remodeling project.

The location of the new restrooms is practical because they can share plumbing with the current restrooms directly below.

The third phase of the remodeling project is still in the planning stage.

Planners want to wall up the prayer room and install one-way glass so people in the room can watch church services. Then parents with crying children or families grieving the death of a loved one who wish for a little more privacy could still participate in services.

Coltrin said installation of a full-immersion baptismal font at the front altar still is being discussed.

Coltrin said cost of the first phase of the remodeling project should cost about $20,000, and members of the church will do most of the work. They found an architect who donated his time.

Coltrin said construction should begin in about a week. The church will continue to hold services in the building throughout the remodeling. This summer is a good time for construction on the Colony Room because no weddings are planned.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Plymouth and to raise funds for the work, the church is holding a silent auction and raffle next Friday at 6 p.m.

Two mountain bikes and helmets will be raffled off, with tickets costing $5. More than 70 items will be up for auction, including legal services, five-course meals, gift certificates, antiques and collectibles.

The evening also will feature speaker Kevin Fortney, forensic lab manager of the Washington State Patrol crime laboratories in Spokane and Kennewick. He has been involved in forensic science work since 1986.

For more information about this celebration, which also will include pie and ice cream, call the church office at 838-8667.

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