Front Entrance of Church to Reopen Sunday

After many long delays, I am pleased to announce that the courtyard and front entrance to First Lutheran Church are to reopen this All Saints Sunday, November 3, 2024. Thanks be to God!

Here are some important points concerning the reopening:

• Though the barricades will be removed from the courtyard and adjacent sidewalk this weekend, they will remain in place where work progresses down Grant Street and Strawberry Way. Please note, then, that for now the safest way to enter will be from the direction of Sixth Avenue. Those parking in U.S. Steel should cross Grant Street at Sixth instead of Strawberry Way.

• A couple handicapped parking spaces will once again be available in front of the church beginning immediately.

• Though the new ramp is now very gradual and ADA compliant, please be cautious, as railings are not expected to be installed until November 15.

• We expect that November 3 will be last day the Bell Tower entrance will be open before the stairs are demolished.

• We plan to continue making the basement door in Strawberry Way available through November 10, after which the front entrance must be used.

• Our contractor, SOTA, is telling us that all work will be completed by mid-January.

I am grateful to all who have supported and continue to support the Reverence My Sanctuary campaign—and for our congregation and all those who have endured the past year of construction. As the end is finally in sight, we can now look forward to celebrating the renewal of our sanctuary and will plan to rededicate it to the glory of God in the near future.

With you in Christ,

The Rev. Brian A. Evans

Senior Pastor