The expansion and renovation of this 250-year-old historically exquisite building will help serve its members and community better.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Carlisle, Pa. is embarking on a 2,634 sq. ft. transformation of the church with a new 2-story atrium, elevator and interior renovations.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on September 23rd marking a substantial capital investment in the church campus in recent history. The new atrium addition, elevator, and interior renovations will improve accessibility while creating an inviting, attractive, central, and historically appropriate entrance for the church.
“Our congregation has a heart for ministry to the neighborhood and community, but the lack of accessibility within our building has sometimes limited what we have been able to do,” said Pastor Lisa Leber. We are excited that this project will address in a comprehensive way the issues of accessibility as well as of flow, hospitality, and functionality we’ve been discussing for many years.”
This project will help the church better serve its members as well as the Carlisle Community who rely on First Lutheran’s services and use its space for such functions as pre-school, concerts, and shelter for the homeless during winter months. GALBRAITH, a Carlisle-based construction company, is expected to begin construction in early October.
“Galbraith has worked closely with the Church, architect, engineers, sub-contractors, and suppliers to help value-engineer this project to reduce the overall cost of budget requirements while adhering as closely as possible to the original design intent, functionality, and level of quality,” said Allan Galbraith, President and Co-Owner of Galbraith/Pre-Design.
“We were grateful for Galbraith/Pre-Design’s commitment to working with us through the value-engineering process and for the ideas they brought to the table,” said Leber. It can be challenging for a congregation to maintain ministries and programs when doing a project of this scope, which will touch many areas of our physical plant. We believe Galbraith/Pre-Design will be a collaborative, problem-solving partner in the months ahead.”
About First
First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Carlisle, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, celebrated its 250thanniversary in 2015. It has worshipped at its current location at the corner of East High and South Bedford streets since 1901. For more information, visit https://firstlutherancarlisle.org/.
