Kingston church to relocate to Pringle

MATT CHMIELEWSKI

editintern@timesleader.com

PRINGLE – Church-closing announcements have been prominent in recent news, but one local congregation is seeking approval for a multimillion-dollar project that would create a bigger place of worship.

The current Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Second Street in Kingston is set to relocate to a new building in Pringle. A 3.48-acre site between Evans and Grove streets is targeted for the construction of an 11,034-square-foot church, driveway and parking lot.

Troy Haagenson, pastor of the current 2nd Street church, said the congregation is now in the middle of raising funds and plans on beginning development by next year.

“We have been in Kingston for over 100 years. We just need to expand,” Haagenson said.

The project obtained preliminary approval on June 14, 2007, and is now seeking final approval. The new building will alleviate occupancy and parking limitations.

“Our average attendance is around 100 people. These people have no where to park,” Haagenson said. “We can’t go and buy one of the old churches, because they have the same problem – inadequate parking.”

Although the Kingston neighbors might be sad to see the church go, some new potential neighbors aren’t as welcoming.

Evans Street resident Tom Austin said he is “totally against” the project. Austin’s property is adjacent to where the proposed parking lot for the new church would be.

“Right now, I can look out my back door and see nothing but beautiful trees and the occasional deer,” Austin said. “When this new church gets here, all I’m going to see is asphalt.”

Ed Weitock said he and his wife are also against the church. Weitock lives next to the would-be entrance to the church parking lot. He says he “doesn’t want to have people always coming in and out of here.”

He, like Austin, also questions the zoning of the land. “How can they have all this land for residential properties then go and put this church and lot on it?” Weitock asked. “I’m furious.”

But Haagenson calls this new project a “benefit” for the community.

“Imagine if it was an apartment complex, the neighbors would have people coming in and out of that area all day,” Haagenson said. “With a church, it’ll only be a few times a week.”

When asked about a response to the neighbors’ opinion about the church, Haagenson said he “did go talk to some of the neighbors and give a letter, and left a phone number. And, we haven’t had any calls” to protest.

Church member Brian McElwee was one of the people who went to talk with Pringle residents about building the church.

“The response was fine,” McElwee said. “We had one small problem with one neighbor, but after taking time and talking with them, they were in agreement with us.”

McElwee was baptized into the church in October 1998 and said he was the first to notice the lot in Pringle for sale.

“Our last neighbors are asking us not to leave,” McElwee said. “Churches tend to be an anchor in a community. It’s not like it’s an apartment, business or bar.”

McElwee said the new building will be built to work with the sloping terrain. “In fact, because of the way the hill goes, most of the new project will be concealed. The neighbors would barely be able to see it,” McElwee said.

“I’m excited to be a part of it, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our new neighbors,” he said.