ROCHESTER -- Calvary Episcopal, Rochester's oldest church building, is holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for the church's $1.6 million renovation project at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The landmark church, located at Second Street and Third Avenue Southwest, across from Mayo Clinic's Gonda Building, was founded in 1860.
"We seek to be the spiritual oasis in the heart of Rochester," said the Rev. Nick Mezacapa, rector. "We're enhancing our ministry that is centered on this unique corner of the world."
After the 9 a.m. worship service, a bagpiper will lead the congregation and its choir out of the church and into the courtyard.
The new construction involves the addition of a third-floor meeting space. Plans also are to renovate the nursery, church school and music areas as well as adding handicapped-accessible restrooms, an elevator and a new wheelchair ramp from the courtyard into the church.
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Construction is to be completed by September. The project was designed by architects Hammel, Green and Abrahamson and is being built by Alvin E. Benike.
GOOD SHEPHERD GROUNDBREAKING SET
ROCHESTER -- Good Shepherd Church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will have a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:15 a.m. April 14 for its $1.4 million expansion.
The church is located at 559 20th St. S.W. in Rochester.
The project will include a larger sanctuary, a new fellowship hall, a second parking lot, a spacious entry/narthax area, additional restrooms and classrooms, a larger kitchen, air conditioning in the sanctuary and fellowship hall, new office areas, a reception area and a conference room.
Station 19 Architects and Weis Builders are handling the project. Bill Angerman is the building committee chairman.
ELCA RETREAT SET FOR HARMONY
HARMONY -- The Root River Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America will hold its Spring Retreat on April 13 at Greenfield Lutheran Church, 235 Main Ave. S., Harmony. Registration and coffee will begin at 8:15 a.m. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
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Theme of this year's conference will be "A God Sized Hole." Guest speakers will be Pastor Louise Stromberg of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Houston, Pastor Zane Anderson of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove and Pastor Harry Mueller of Minnehaha Communion Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Cost is $7, which includes lunch. Walk-in participants are welcome. Pre-registrations may be sent to Lois Wilhelson, P.O. Box 277, Spring Grove, MN 55974.
For more information, call Lois Morcomb at (507) 896-3928.
CONVENTION SET
ROCHESTER -- "Navigating Change: Anchored to the Rock" is the theme for the April 12 and 13 Minnesota Christian Convention at Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Among topics are God-centered worship and unique worship for children in grades one through six. Registration information is available at www.coonrapidschristinan.org/mcc.html or by calling Ruth Adams at (763) 571-4917.
