VIDEO: Central Schwenkfelder Church invites public to see new community center

For the members of Central Schwenkfelder Church in Worcester, the idea of building a Community Center for the congregation and community has been in the works for nearly 40 years.

However, the dream became a reality in September of 2011 and on Saturday the community was welcome to learn about Central Community Center and experience its amenities themselves during an open house.

The idea of building this center was talked about when I was a kid here, said Lauren Rieger, a member of the congregation since she was 2 years old. Although I didnt get to use it when I was a kid, I get to see it in good use with my boys who are ages 13, 9 and 5. It is a fabulous place.

The 17,000 square-foot facility sits behind the church on Steelman Road and provides services to church groups, sports clubs, local musicians and much more.

About three or four years ago the church really started talking about making this wish a reality, said Central Schwenkfelder Church Activities Coordinator Juli Apple. At such a tough economic time, we wanted to make sure we were able to do this without financing the building.

A community center committee was created and the group decided to press forward with their planning if the church was able to support 80 percent of the funds after submitting for permits within the township and county.

A combination of faith and dedication came together as church member Allen Koehler described it, stating that the church was able to collect $1.7 million in less than a year to complete the project.

The church, community, friends and family all came together to make this happen, Koehler said. God will use this in many different ways.

Koehler, whom the building is dedicated to, is correct about the building being used for many groups, including the churchs youth ministries, the YMCA Lansdale branch, Towamencin Youth Association, Montgomery County Special Olympics and CAL Sports Academy. Continued...

The Central Community Center contains a multi-sport gymnasium, two classrooms, a lounge and kitchenette.

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VIDEO: Central Schwenkfelder Church invites public to see new community center