Monroe church's elevator gives congregation a lift

MONROE -- Joe Boranian goes to the Monroe Covenant Church three times a week.

He uses a powered wheelchair because of his cerebral palsy. To get in the church, he needed friends to carry him up the stairs.

That has changed.

"Now that we have an elevator, that's not an issue," said Boranian, 22, who lives in Lake Stevens.

The church, located at 202 S. Sams St., finished the remodeling project last month which added an elevator, expanded the front entryway, and built new bathrooms for the handicapped.

It was done to help members of the congregation who use wheelchairs or have trouble getting up the stairs. At the time of the renovation, Boranian was one of only two members who use wheelchairs.

The $120,000 for the cost of construction was raised by the parishioners.

The church started thinking about the changes two decades ago. It had about $20,000 in savings, and in early 2011, the church started a fund drive to get the necessary funds, pastor Mac Taylor said.

In only three months, parishioners raised $90,000, he said.

"It was a large number for a small congregation," Taylor said.

Continued here:
Monroe church's elevator gives congregation a lift