Out of the ashes: HMB congregation regroups to rebuild
Staff writer
With an eye on the present, and a mind on the past, the congregation of the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church plans for the future.
It's been a year since the fire that destroyed not only the church building, but a part of Hillsboro's past.
A planning committee and the church congregation have spent the past year thinking, working, planning, and dreaming of the future.
The committee is comprised of 10 church members: Darrell Driggers, chairman; Brad Bartel; Ron Hiebert; Clyde Jost; Delora Kaufman; James Thomas; Brad Vogel; John Dick, non-voting member; Bruce Porter, non-voting member; and Don Ratzlaff, non-voting member.
What they have come up with are choices. Three options are being considered for where to rebuild. Church members will vote on a site in two weeks.
One option is to rebuild on the site of the former church at the corner of Grand and Washington streets. Tentatively, this option couldinclude a multi-story building with a basement housing classrooms and other meeting rooms.
The church owns the property which is centrally located with easy accessibility to utilities. However, the limited space available at the site requires a multi-story building, no room for expansion, and no covered drop-off.
A second option would place a one-story church a block east of Eisenhower Street on the continuation of Prairie Point.
Finally, the third option is to build a one-story church between C and D streets west of Industrial Road.
The architect firm of Howard and Helmer of Wichita has been hired. Plans are to break ground in late fall for the multimillion dollar, 34,000 to 42,000 square foot church building.
Besides the planning committee, there are approximately 120 congregation members on sub-committees. These groups are looking at everything from the sanctuary and fellowship hall to the kitchen.
"Every part of the church," according to planning committee member, Delora Kaufman.
