Busting at the Seams (Part 2)

The Education Wing was constructed underground, next to the existing 2-story church building. The wing is connected by adjoining ramps. (1996)

By the mid-90s, MPLC was booming and needed more space to grow! Church leadership returned to architect Helmut Ajango, who had designed the original building in 1974, with the need to create more classroom and gathering spaces, and for greater storage. The decision was made to keep the original building’s footprint intact by building an extension…underground!

The plans called for a 14,000-square foot lower level addition to be dug out next to the church building, on the South Green Bay side. The addition added a dozen spacious classrooms, a dedicated library, education office, music room, and storage space. Two skylight “bubbles” were added to provide light and character to the education level below ground.

The new entryway addition with spiral staircase access to Education Wing. (1996)

Also at this time, a large, light-filled, flagstone entryway (narthex) was added to extend the main church entrance, with a spiral staircase leading to the lower level. The new space included coat racks, two unisex bathrooms, and member mailboxes, and provided for a roomier gathering space as people enter the building.

With so much classroom space added in the education wing, the Fellowship Hall was also renovated. Classrooms on that level were eliminated to make for a larger, main gathering space in the middle; the kitchen was renovated and enlarged, and the nursery was moved behind the kitchen. Most closet spaces in the Lounge (Mygatts) were eliminated to make space for ramps leading to the education wing.

Now as you move from one level of the building to the next or notice the unusual shape of the Fellowship Hall, you can better appreciate the "method to the madness". The evolving needs of the church community helped to shape the building into the quirky marvel it is today!