T
he congregation of St. Lucas Lutheran Church in Kewaskum, WI will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their new church building on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The event begins with a church service at 9:30 a.m. in the current sanctuary, followed by the Rite of Groundbreaking at the new site and a celebratory meal in the school gymnasium.

    This milestone marks the culmination of years of prayerful planning and dedication to the congregation's mission. The journey began in August 2008 with the formation of the Church Facilities Committee, which evaluated how existing facilities supported the congregation's mission. A comprehensive building-and-systems analysis was conducted in April 2010, followed by a visioning workshop to gather feedback.

    In March 2011, the congregation approved designing a master plan for a new church attached to the school. The "Strengthening Our Foundation in Christ" capital campaign ran from 2013 to 2016, and planning efforts intensified with the formation of the Church Building Coordinating Task Force in August 2021. A second campaign, "Forward: Growing in Christ," launched in March 2023, enabling the finalization of church plans.

    The new building addresses key needs such as accessibility improvements, expanded gathering spaces, and enhanced worship capabilities. Unlike the current building, which requires navigating multiple stairs, the new design will be fully accessible with a welcoming entryway. The sanctuary will seat 230 worshippers and is designed to support music and congregational singing central to Lutheran worship.

    The congregation invites the community to join this joyful celebration as they embark on an exciting chapter in their history. The new St. Lucas Lutheran Church promises to be a beacon of faith, community, and worship for generations to come.