LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The congregation of Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, which lost its sanctuary in the Clayton fire nearly three years ago, is soon to break ground on a new building.
The church invites the community to celebrate the groundbreaking with them and to join in a free ice cream social reception following the groundbreaking celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. All are welcome.
On Aug. 13, 2016, the Clayton fire began as the result of arson. It burned almost 4,000 acres and destroyed 300 buildings.
One of the buildings destroyed was the sanctuary of the historic Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church which had served this rural neighborhood for 130 years.
Now, the congregation is moving forward with rebuilding the sanctuary, a project “long expected and long overdue,” said Pastor John Pavoni.
The new sanctuary will be located on Main Street in Lower Lake with construction anticipated to be completed in spring 2020.
The former sanctuary had its main entrance on Lake Street but the new entrance will face Main Street as a symbol of resilience and commitment to the community of Lower Lake for the next 130 years and more.
The congregation is proud to note that construction will be by Lake County Builders Inc. and other local subcontractors.
“It was important to us to keep the money in Lake County, helping to provide local jobs and revenues for our community as we work to help restore Lower Lake to its full, vibrant community once again,” Pavoni said.
Since the fire the congregation has met each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Social Hall which survived the fire, “continuing to bring the Word and the Grace of the Lord to all who seek spiritual support within its doors,” the church leadership reported.
The church also has continued to serve the community with a weekly food pantry, feeding the hungry in spite of its own struggles after the fire.
Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church to break ground on new building
- Lake County News reports
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