Local News

Bethel renovates worship center

FAIRMONT-- After six months of renovation work, the congregation at Bethel Evangelical Free Church in Fairmont attended its first service in the worship center last Sunday.

The church was established in 1899 though it's been in its current location since 1968. Over the years, it's had two additions, one, the construction of the worship center, in 1983, and one later in the 90s.

The recent renovation of the worship center was the most significant change done to it in 40 years.

Seth Watson, senior pastor at Bethel, said, "We didn't want to change the structure, we just wanted to renovate the space. We didn't want to add on, we wanted to make changes inside."

He said there used to be red carpet, wooden pews and stained glass on the windows and that the stage was set up for a choir.

Walking into the worship center now, two main things are apparent: the space is modern, and bright.

"Taking pictures or video before was so dark... we really wanted to increase our lighting capacity," Watson said.

He said that while there was a reverent feeling before, it was so dark, even during the daytime.

"We had people in here on (last) Sunday say, 'I can read my bible really easily,'" Watson said.

That was motivation to renovate the space. However, once the project began in October, it was discovered that additional work was required.

"To hang new lights and new fixtures and put in a new projector, they had to tear the whole ceiling down, reinforce stuff and then put it all up. A lot of the money got spent on that," Watson said.

Another reason to renovate the space was to update the technology. Watson said when the worship center was first constructed in the 80s, there weren't overhead projectors.

"Technology has changed so much in 40 years," he said.

Now, there are a number of LED light fixtures that have the ability to change lighting color and new projectors so that video can be displayed for all to see on a new center wall.

The technology will also come in handy for those who watch services online. The number of people, both congregation members and other, has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. In fact, Watson said that for this past Good Friday service, 38 percent of those who attended did so online.

The renovation included some comfort and accessibility measures. The wooden bench pews, which were bolted into the ground, were removed and in their place are now cushioned chairs. Watson said they posted that the pews were up for grabs on Facebook and they were all called for.

The stage was also flattened, which allows for more space for musicians to utilize. A ramp leading up to the stage was added as well, making it handicap accessible.

Last Sunday, following the first service in the renovated space, contractors and subcontractors were invited and together they and members of the congregation had a potluck breakfast between services to celebrate the completion of the project.

Local subcontractors on the project included DeWar Electric, Day Plumbing and Kingdom Builders Masonry. As the lighting work was so specific, a group out of Ohio came to install it. The main contractor was out of Mankato and the architect on the project was Twin Cities-based.

In doing the project, it was important to the committee at Bethel to keep some original elements of the space. The wooden beams and brick wall remain in the worship center. Watson said the architect worked hard to match the new features with the original features.

"We wanted it to be familiar, too," he explained.

While the renovations were being done, services continued to be held in the gym, or fellowship hall, at Bethel. Before each service, several hundred metal folding chairs were set up and after services included, members of the congregation were kindly asked to stick around and help put them away.

"People were very kind and gracious. We had no real complaints," Watson said.

The worship center will not only be used by the congregation for normal services, but will also be used by students in vacation bible school and Awana, a children's program.

"Our hope is that community groups will also use it as it's available," Watson said.