First Methodist Church of DeKalb a step closer to finalizing move plans

DeKALB - The First Methodist Church of DeKalb is one step closer to finalizing construction plans for an approved move to a new location from its current building, which is more than a century old.

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission convened this week to review final development plans for the church’s move to a 10,986-square-foot building at 2501 N. Annie Glidden Road, across from the DeKalb County Health Facility Campus, according to city documents. The congregation meets in its church at 317 N. Fourth St. in DeKalb. Church members called it an aging building during the commission meeting Monday.

“We have the 114-year-old building right next door to the library, and it has been our goal and vision for over 20 years to build a new church home,” said Sherry Uhrich, Youth Missions Coordinator at First Methodist Church. “We need a safer environment for the community.”

An annexation and development agreement for the project was approved in July 2020.

According to the outlined development plans, the new church will consist of dark charcoal fiber cement siding and aluminum storefront windows. The church was a light tan color during the conceptual plan process. A steeple was removed from the 2020 design, and the church’s height will be about 52 feet.

The church will have a 240-seat sanctuary and 65 parking spots.

The modification that was made in recommendation after the July 2020 meeting was to lower the height of the building.

“The main difference between the 2020 and this one is the height on the building and a little bit of the design,” said Daniel Saavedra, president of Saavedra Group Architects which is designing the new church. “That changed when the church decided not to move the pipe organ, the organ requires a substantial amount of height.”

The height of the building was lowered from 86 feet to 52 feet.

The church will have a 240-seat sanctuary and 65 parking spots.

The plan now awaits final approval by the DeKalb City Council before breaking ground to construct the new church.

“We’re excited. This has been a long time coming,” said Jonathan Crail, Senior Pastor for the church. “We are looking forward to being good neighbors in the area, which we know is a priority for the city. We look forward to being a blessing not only to that area but to the entire city.”