Marble Falls Church of Christ to break ground for new facilities

MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls Church of Christ will mark a turning point in its 63-year history with a groundbreaking Sunday for a nearly $4 million expansion project.

The ceremony at 12:30 p.m. will celebrate construction of a new facility at 711 Broadway.

“This expansion will allow us some flexibility with our educational and outreach programs that we are limited in providing right now because of the lack of space,” said the Rev. Greg Neill, the minister of the church since 2006.

The church began as a single-story, rock building in 1945. It has been through several expansions, including the construction of a new auditorium in 1960. A two-story educational wing was added in 1971.

Neill said the church has seen a 10 percent increase in membership in the two years he’s been at the church. Based on the projections of growth received from sources such as the Lower Colorado River Authority, Neill said the congregation could expand 30 to 50 percent in the next three to five years.

“We average 325 worshipers on Sunday mornings, and we have a membership base of approximately 450 church members. This new facility is designed to address the church’s current needs and the anticipated needs that will come from the projected growth of our community. We give thanks to God for his blessings and are grateful for the vision and dedication of our church leadership,” Neill said.

Dan Burdett, a member of the congregation, will manage the construction. Burdett is the owner of Burdett Commercial Construction. 

The designer of the project is Larry Reven.

The new structure will replace the current facility at the Broadway location. Neill said they expect the construction phase to take 14 months. During that time, the congregation will continue to worship in the old building. 

Once construction is complete, the old building will be torn down to make room for an expanded parking lot and children’s playground.

“What started it all was we were left a fairly sizable donation of an estate for the purpose of expansion and to build a new facility, but that occurred before I got here,” Neill said. “We’ve been able to raise one-third of the necessary funds to cover construction of the project from volunteer pledges.”

The estimated cost of the 30,000-square-foot structure is $3.6 million. It will have a seating capacity for 700 people and will consist of moveable chairs in the auditorium to allow for a variety of church and community activities.

“With a growing youth ministry program, we are in need of more room as well as more efficient facilities,” Youth Minister Ken Waugh said. “With the completion of the new facilities, the youth will have a large modern space devoted solely for them. God has richly blessed our youth with the opportunity to serve this community for many years to come.”

Church officials said the versatile nature of the new structure offers a variety of uses within the community.

“I think this just shows we have a commitment to not only the church, but to the community as well,” Neill said.

byoung@thepicayune.com

Courtesy illustration