And that was even less than they were willing to pay.
“Our original estimates came back as an $8 million project,” said Paul Clark, the executive pastor at Fairhaven. “But when we went to bid the contract, we found the cost structure was much less than we expected. Businesses were very hungry.”
Clark said the project was proposed to the congregation in 2006, and they have responded very well.
Vicki Erwin, a single mom of three who lives in Kettering, has been a member of the church for about three years. She said the congregation’s support of the project was because the church is not about the building — it is about the people.
“They’re so like their motto there — ‘Living the journey, sharing the story.’ They are about helping people in need,” said Erwin, who in the last three years went back to school to become a registered respiratory therapist.
She said the church stresses taking care of the church family and the community and that kids come first.
“You want to support it,” Erwin said. “How can you not?”
Clark said Fairhaven, which is associated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, made the addition because the church has grown dramatically in the past few years.
It has a congregation of about 4,500, and the church holds 1,500. The site also hosts blood drives, Red Cross meetings, singles’ events, meetings for job-seekers and more. The church is at 637 E. Whipp Road.
“This place is open every day of the week,” Clark said. “We’re always trying to engage with the community.”
Clark said the Centerville location is now “pretty much complete,” but Fairhaven is planning to open satellite churches in Englewood in September and Springboro in 2012.
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