By Katherine Yeagar | Contributor
There is a concrete wall covered in names, in stories and in prayers. It sits, silent and resolute inside an empty factory off South Main Street in Upland. Scriptures written by 90-year-olds and pictures drawn by 3-year-olds plaster the structure, a symbol of celebration and anticipation for the new warehouse home of Upland Methodist Church (UMC).
The former Pierce-Governor factory sprawls behind chain links. The factory closed its doors in 2011, leaving the building vacant. Vehicle parts formerly used to measure speed, known as governors, became obsolete with advanced technology.
UMC overflowed from its current building in 2010, and began the search for a new home. The sanctuary, according to Pierce Project Manager Tammara Neel, is built to hold 175, but packs in 300 to 450 churchgoers each week. The church shows its age and lacks handicap accessible facilities.
On Sundays, those in the sanctuary can hear the children's worship service in the basement. "The children's ministry is downstairs," Neel said. "As soon as prayer starts upstairs, the kids are downstairs jumping up and down shouting 'hosanna.' We all kind of giggle, but it's a reality."
Pastor Rob Neel and members of church leadership began to talk of recycling an existing building began in 2010 as rumors of the closure of Pierce-Governor surfaced. In 2011, when the factory closed, members of the church began to pray. In 2012, Tammara Neel decided to approach the factory's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Leland E. Boren, to pitch the idea of purchasing the building for the church's new location.
Neel's eyes begin to tear. She said, "He sat there very quietly and said, 'I have a different idea. Why don't I give you the factory.'"
The process of transformation from warehouse to church began with years of research and paperwork. Boren worked alongside UMC through the transition. A multiple-year environmental study was performed, and the facility passed with a clean bill of health from the state of Indiana.
UMC then approached the United Methodist Church governing body. After passing through a system of checks and balances, the church plans were approved.
The new facility is more than enough space to house the congregation. The additional space is sparking ideas for outreach. The possibilities, according to Neel, are endless. Ideas include a daycare, blackbox theater, art studios, laser tag, paintball, rock walls, retail space, an auto shop, a wedding venue and even a location for Taylor pick-a-dates.
"The goal is to share the love of Jesus in a tangible way," Neel said.
Initially, the church will move into a manageable and affordable space within the new facility.
"We immediately are a quarter of a million dollars ahead because we don't have to move any dirt," Neel said. "It's going to free us up to do ministry." With the facilities already constructed, the church will spend no money on building.
The church has completed its financial campaign and is in the process of raising funds and applying for grants to transform the interior of the factory into a sanctuary and space for community outreach. The project is not fully funded and the church has decided not to take out a mortgage. According to Neel, whatever funds come in are what the church will use to build.
An architect has drawn up blueprints, and Neel is applying for building permits from the state of Indiana. Negotiations create a back-and-forth process as plans are tweaked. Construction is set to begin sooner rather than later, according to Neel.
The space is already evolving. The first wedding in the factory is scheduled for July. Taylor students and community members are encouraged to get involved in a hands-on way, from scrubbing floors to landscaping.
The church is unsure of its plans for the old building. However, according to Neel, leaving the building vacant is not an option.
The denomination will give the church options regarding next steps for the old building. "We don't want to abandon the building," said Neel. Neel said UMC is humbled by Boren's gift. The church looks forward to continued outreach, made possible by Boren's generosity, in the years to come.
