Zion UMC builds and grows
Four miles west of the small town of Colfax, North Dakota stands Zion United Methodist Church amidst the fields and farms. Several churches in the area have closed over the past decade. Zion could seat a maximum of 70 people in the pews. Worship attendance started to decline but members began to dream about the future and creating a church that would be inviting to neighbors.
Photo: The outside of Zion UMC as it looks today. Photo by Sheri Meister.
Members brainstormed and went through 24 different plans before they settled on a church expansion project that would provide a home for worshippers of the younger generations. The plan was approved, and the remodeling began in spring 2015. Members volunteered to work on the construction team, and by April 2016, the project was complete.
The result—an increase in worship attendance and a new vitality. A consecraction service was held on April 24,
2016 with over 250 in attendance. A highlight of the service was a group of Sunday School children singing with parents and grandparents watching.
On a typcially Sunday, over 75 people are in worship. The building project included rooms for Sunday School and a youth room. The congregation is proud to have a vibrant Sunday School program and a new youth program.
Photo: The inside of Zion UMC after the building project. Photo by Sheri Meister.
The members decided to add on to the church to create a place for future generations to grow in faith. The building project was a strong leap of faith costing close to $650,000. Church members and individual donors have pledged well over $510,000. A loan and funds from the Dakotas Conference Builder's Club also helped to finance the project.
Sheri Meister, executive director of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation, recently visited Zion UMC to deliver a check from the Builder's Club. "The church is just beautiful," said Meister. "The people at Zion are so welcoming and there is such leadership. They have a vision for the future."
Photo: Sheri Meister (far right), excecutive director of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation presents a check from the Builder's Club to (left to right) Rev. Mark Britton, Nancy Kummer and Jan Reiger. Photo courtesy of Sheri Meister.
