Odessa church given $6-million building By Paula R. Kincaid The Presbyterian Layman Volume 32, Number 5 Posted November 11, 1999 Historic Reformed Church building UKRAINE – The Ukraine government has given the Odessa Presbyterian Church a church building worth $6 million. The historic Reformed Church building, located in the heart of downtown Odessa, was given to the congregation because the government sees it “as the spiritual heirs of this legacy. And because God has seen fit to work in their hearts,” according to the project brochure Miracle in Odessa. The only stipulation the government placed on the gift is that the congregation pay for approximately $1 million of renovation. Mission to the World, the mission sending agency of the Presbyterian Church of America, is sponsoring “The Odessa Church Project” to raise funds for renovating the church building. Odessa Presbyterian Church is part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Ukraine, a denomination started by missionaries from Mission to the World. Leanne Portzel, campaign director of the Odessa Church Project told The Layman that the congregation of approximately 125 people is renting the Medical Workers Guild Hall to hold church services. Building lends legitimacy “The inherent value of this building to the Reformed congregation in Odessa is the legitimacy it lends them. By worshiping in this renovated building, the congregation will have the respect earned by this church in the Odessa community over several centuries,” says the brochure. Originally built by the Evangelical Reformed Church, the building was completed in 1900. Empty now, it was last used as a puppet theater. Work has already started on the renovations, including volunteer labor from church members. Portzel said plans are to have the major construction finished in a year, and the congregation hopes to use the building by September 2000. She said most of the roofing work is completed, which will allow workers to continue the renovation during the winter months. In the spring, American teams will travel to the Ukraine to help with construction. The 14,196-square-foot building, when fully renovated, will include the sanctuary which will seat 500, and more than 40 rooms, including meeting rooms, office space, kitchens and a library. For more information about the Odessa Church Project, or to make a donation, contact Campaign Director Leanne Portzel at Mission to the World, P.O. Box 29765, Atlanta, GA 30359; telephone (404) 320-3373; or e-mail: info@mtw.org

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