CLACKAMAS, OR (April 24, 2008) \u2013 Eastridge Covenant Church recently moved into its first permanent building after years meeting in schools and struggling with government leaders and residents who fought construction.
\n
\nThe 32,000-square-foot building is situated on eight acres of land. The sanctuary will comfortably seat 750 worshipers, says executive pastor Rick Milliken. Since the building opened in March, attendance has grown from 425 to 600.<\/p>\n
Already, the congregation has outgrown its space for junior and senior high students. They will move to the basement as soon as the church is able to finish the work.<\/p>\n
The church started with three couples in 1993. By 1994, they had moved into a local school and then moved to another as growth continued.<\/p>\n
The rapid growth led to plans for construction, but little went smoothly. According to the church\u2019s website, \u201cThe building project seemed to be plagued by a bureaucratic desire to keep churches out of the community. It was one hardship after another.\u201d<\/p>\n
An online Covenant News Service story reported that area residents tried to prevent construction. Residents of a subdivision south of the proposed church had complained church traffic would lead to congestion.<\/p>\n
Local officials finally approved the project in 2003.<\/p>\n