(Le Mars) — A Le Mars Lutheran Church has begun more than a million dollar capital improvement campaign. The St. John’s Lutheran Church located at 201 1st Avenue Northwest is in the middle of a $1.5 million dollar capital campaign. Pastor Chris Meier explains the congregation was faced with several aspects of the 60 year old church needing improvements.
Meier says upon further investigation of the church’s structure, they noticed problems located within the basement.
Meier says the church congregation needed to raise a total of $1.5 million dollars, and they responded with cash donations and pledges in a favorable manner within a short time frame.
Dr. Jean Ziettlow serves as the associate pastor for St. John’s Lutheran. She says with the manner the people responded, it will mean the historic church will be able to be preserved.
Meier says the people of St. John’s have already raised more than half the money needed to make the repairs.
Pastor Ziettlow says she was surprised at how quickly the money was able to be raised for the church’s capital improvements.
Pastor Meier says it was a leap of faith since the church had already made previous financial commitments for two additional church staff members.
Photos contributed.
