Grace - St. Paul UMC

Grace - St. Paul UMC

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Grace St. Paul United Methodist Church

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UPDATE! Newest Article in The Times-News - June 21, 2007

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New Church Taking Shape - March 12, 2007

Penn Forest parishioners moving to new location

By JOSH CUSATIS - TIMES NEWS jcusatistnonline.com

Long ahead of schedule, the new home of Grace St. Paul's United Methodist Church is now taking shape along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township.

The church and its roughly 50 parishioners moved to the new location at 40 Church Road from their former home at Fifth and Center streets in Jim Thorpe last year.

"It was the congregation's vision to move to reach out to the community here," said the Rev. Mike Netznik. "In town, there are all sorts of after-school and kids' programs, but there isn't much out here. There's a lot that's not happening out here and we wanted to put our ministry into effect."

Although only one of three buildings planned for Phase 1 has been delivered and installed, worshipping services for the congregation of Grace St. Paul's United Methodist Church are now being held at the church's new location along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township.

The move and project to construct the church's new grounds was originally slated to take five years to complete, however the congregation was able to find a buyer for their old home, the Carbon County Masonic Lodge, in a matter of months and their current schedule has construction completed later this year, possibly by the end of summer.

"We've been shocked by how quickly things have been coming together," Netznick said.

Currently, one building, which represents the first of three parts to Phase 1, of which there will be three phases of construction, has been delivered and installed. This has given the congregation enough room to move in for their worship services, which are held on Sundays at 9 a.m. A dedication service will be held on Sunday, March 11.

Two additions will adjoin this first building at Grace St. Paul's United Methodist Church's new location. That will complete Phase 1 of the church's project to create a new church and community center. Two more buildings, in two phases, will also be constructed.

When all is said and done, the church's grounds will include three buildings, a hall for worshipping, a community center and a gymnasium, as well as landscaping and parking.

Netznik also thanked the Penn Forest Club House for allowing the congregation to use the space for services during the move.

"They were really gracious and always made sure that the space was available," he said. "We really can't say enough about them."

The church can be reached at either (570) 325-9151 or www.gbgm-umc.org/grace-stpauls.


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