The First Universalist Church of Denver is holding Sunday services at Hamilton Middle School as it redevelops its sanctuary in southeast Denver and becomes a green church.
The multimillion-dollar project includes increasing the size of the circular-shaped sanctuary in University Hills, adding a gender-inclusive bathroom and installing new solar panels and a geothermal energy system allowing for the church to be carbon-neutral. First Universalist is hoping to wrap up work and move back into its space by September, said Jessica Montgomerie, communications coordinator for the church.
The congregation of First Universalist built its church at 4101 E. Hampden Ave. in 1956. The original building was round and included a sanctuary, office and small kitchen. Later, the building was expanded and then re-expanded making it roughly 24,000 square feet when construction started last fall, Montgomerie said.
During a later addition, First Universalist moved its sanctuary from the round building onsite to a rectangular building, she said. "We are moving the sanctuary back to that original round space, but it will now be a much larger circle."
The church is looking to add about 2,900 square feet.
"We're adding space to be able to grow and serve more in the community," Montgomerie said. "We hope to be able to have a lot of community events be able to happen in our new facility."
First Universalist Church of Denver has about 640 members. It's working on the project with Barrett Studio Architects and Faurot Construction. Both are Boulder-based companies.
Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.
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