By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The First Missionary Church of Milton Township wants to make an impact on the community and they hope to do it with a new facility on U.S. 12.
The larger, final plan will include a new center of education and worship, with soccer fields still a likely addition.
Miller spoke to the Niles-Buchanan Rotary Club Monday afternoon about the church's plan for their 42 acres at the intersection of U.S. 12 and West River Drive. Miller said the church expects to see elevation and floor plans for the first phase of the facility in two weeks and hopes to begin construction in 2008, with a move-in date scheduled for 2009.
The facility will have a “mall effect” Miller said, and the first phase of the project would be a youth educational wing off to the side of a common area. Phases two and three, the deadlines are still unknown, Miller said. They involve adding a larger activity or fellowship center, followed by a permanent worshiping area.
The hope is for First Missionary Church to be able to host community events and, more importantly, keep people in the Niles area for worship on Sunday.
First Missionary has been in the area for over 50 years, Miller said. The current location of the church on U.S. 12 and Bell Road in Milton Township is actually a former school the church purchased around 17 years ago following a fire that forced First Missionary to move, Miller added. The current property is 11 acres and will be sold to help pay for the new facility, Miller said.