The Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle is actively seeking out a new facility and is showing interest in the original St. Anthony’s School for its new home.
St. Anthony’s School is slated to move to its new location on North Dinosaur Trail in 2011. Pastor Dan Dannhauer of Elim Pentecostal told The Mail the church has its designs on the school.
“The rumour is true, we have written a letter of intent, but we have not made an offer or anything like that,” said Dannhauer. “We are still in the negotiation process and the school is not moving out until at least January.
“Our membership has given us the green light to go ahead and negotiate, we’re at that place already.”
He explains they are working with a real estate agent for the developer who currently owns the land.
He envisions the building housing the congregation and the administrative aspects of the church. Elim Pentecostal has outgrown its current facility, and the new location will give it ample room to grow.
“Our building is too small and too crowded, and with all the stuff we do, we are stepping over each other,” said Dannhauer.
Because of the size, for the project to make sense, he says they hope to share the building with other organizations in the valley.
“We’re looking at all the possibilities,” said Dannhauer. “We are looking at potential leasees,” adding they are looking at inking conditional leases in the next couple of months.
He said they would use the gymnasium as their sanctuary on Sunday, but would allow for other uses, as they feel that kind of space is a necessity in the community.
“Our key is we want to be a church in the community, for the community, about the community, and our ministries circle around that,” said Dannhauer.
Before they make an offer Dannhauer said they need to take an inventory of what will be included in the school.
“In the next week or so we are going through it again to know what the school is leaving and taking, and then we’ll be able to make a definite offer,” said Dannhauer.
“We are really excited. It is just a matter of getting the money together and building strategic partnerships we could facilitate through that building.”