The pews are packed with an average Sunday attendance of 220.

“We’re at capacity,” said the Rev. Ryan Kiblinger about Foundation United Methodist Church at Lakewood.

Increasing attendance is good news, not, Kiblinger said, but the church is taking steps to ensure that its congregation won’t outgrow its facilities.

Construction on a 8,700 square-foot building that will be able to seat up to 450 people is set to start the spring of 2009. The new structure will sit on the church’s property at 7425 W. Adams Ave.

“We’re in the first step right now,” Kiblinger said. “The planning for it, and fundraising.”

The multi-purpose aspect of the new building is what’s got members of the building committee exciting.

“It won’t be just a worship center,” said Dr. Ron Henderson of Temple, committee chairman. “It’ll have a kitchen and nursery, and the worship center space can double as an arena for concerts, sporting events, meetings and other activities.”

The all-purpose room will measure about 5,300 square feet. To be outfitted with a slew of upgraded appliances, the kitchen will measure 950 square feet. And the 1,350 square-foot nursery will feature two rooms, one for infants and one for toddlers.

Foundation-UMC’s expansion project also includes the addition of a children’s playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and restrooms with showers and storage areas.

Once the overall design is set, Henderson said the building committee will evaluate the need for a covered drop-off area, larger signage and improved landscaping and lighting.

Church members are excited that their spiritual home is growing.

“We are rapidly outgrowing our current facility,” said Dr. John Erwin of Temple. “As disciples within the church draw in new faithful, we need space to allow for new ministries, as well as shoulder room for worship, so that all may feel our welcoming atmosphere.”

Seeming to echo dozens of others, Erwin said he’s quite willing to do the work it takes to see the expansion project come to fruition.

“We maybe have 10 percent of our seats left now,” Erwin said, commenting on his church’s shrinking worship space. “It is a blessing to have to solve this problem.”

--tlunsford@temple-telegram.com