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The Abbott Loop Church has been ministering in Anchorage together for 53 years this November. It's a milestone they were able to celebrate back in their home church following 8 months without a place to call home.
On March 2, following a record setting winter snowfall the roof collapsed over the auditorium where church services were held. Thankfully no one was hurt but seeing the church in ruins was painful for many people.
“We started design literally just a few weeks after the collapse to start formatting things back into there they would need to go and build a plan," said project consultant Ken Holsinger.
Crews didn't have much time as construction season was about to begin. They quickly began cleaning up debris and working on a construction plan. 8 months later and the church is safe enough to return to but there's still no auditorium. Sunday church members held service in the gymnasium.
“We have quite a bit of work. I'd say we're maybe about 15 percent of the way into the project but the main thing was to get the church back home so they could be back in their facility,” said Holsinger.
Project managers said they plan to work through the winter on as much as they can. Project managers also said the collapse has given them the opportunity to create an even better building. The auditorium will now have huge windows for natural light and stadium seating. The new auditorium will also be able to provide a local charter school with a place for performing arts.
“The whole vision our facility in the future is all shaped around helping people and touching the city and we're excited about that opportunity,” said Abbott Loop Pastor Joshua Tanner.
Project managers expect to have everything complete by Christmas of next year.
Contact Mallory Peebles