Faith Lutheran Church in Andover celebrated the upcoming construction of a new addition to the church with a groundbreaking ceremony during each of its three worship services on Sunday, June 17^th.  Pastor Jon Heydenreich led the congregation in singing “On Our Way, Rejoicing” as the members filed out of the church and gathered in the construction area.  Pastor Heydenreich prayed that the addition would be a blessing to the congregation, then turned over three shovelfuls of dirt on behalf of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The project will contain 1625 square feet of flex space designed to serve the congregation’s fellowship, Christian education, youth group and storage needs, and will also include construction of a loggia covered entrance and installation of sprinklers and safety improvements in the entire church building.  Because the church hosts an Andover/North Andover YMCA afterschool program during the academic year, construction will occur while the children are enjoying summer vacation.  The work will be performed by Northpoint Construction LLC of Hudson, New Hampshire, and is scheduled to be substantially complete by mid-September.

From its beginnings as a mission congregation organized by 34 charter members in 1963, Faith has grown to a thriving congregation serving more than 850 people who reside in Andover, North Andover, the greater Merrimack Valley and beyond.