Church finds space to grow

The Rev. Stephen Macaluso wanted to build a new church, not take over a 76-year-old school building.

If his congregation bought the former A.V. Zogg building on Fourth Street in Liverpool, it would have to repair a leaking roof, install an elevator and pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into renovations.

"The first time I saw the building, I didn't want it," Macaluso said.

But Liverpool Community Church, which began as a small congregation 11 years ago and has grown to more than 300 members, took a leap of faith. The church purchased the building and is now able to offer more programs to its members and the community.

The Free Methodist congregation acquired the building at 800 Fourth St. for $5,000 from the Liverpool Central School District two years ago. The church agreed to spend at least $404,000 on initial repairs. Since then it has invested more than $1.5 million in its new home, church officials say.

Congregation members contributed money, a fundraiser was held and a small amount was borrowed, Macaluso said. The congregation saved a lot of money by having its members do much of the work, he said.

Initially, village officials hoped the old school would be converted into senior citizen housing, Mayor Marlene Ward said.

"If we couldn't have what we wanted, this is the best-case scenario," Ward said.

The congregation moved into the building two months ago and plans an official opening Oct. 16.

"God's able to accomplish infinitely more than we can ask for or imagine," Macaluso said. "To think God could provide something bigger than we imagine really blows me away."

Macaluso, or "Pastor Mac" as he is known, moved from Michigan to Liverpool with his family in 1993 to start a church. He came to the Liverpool area because the opportunity to start a church here arose; he is from the Buffalo area.

It took a year of planning before he and a few others bought a building at 7570 Oswego St. from King of Kings Lutheran Church and opened it Oct. 9, 1994.

The churchstarted with about 30 people but has grown tenfold.

"A church facility is supposed to facilitate the mission," Macaluso said. "To be able to pull off our ministry means the place we're in helps do that."

Liverpool Community Church's first building, which had 7,000 square feet, initially provided enough room for Sunday services and a few midweek ministries. As the congregation grew, parking became a problem, there was no room for children's services, and members were crowded together during the two Sunday services.

It was time to decide whether the church believed in its mission or was comfortable where it was, Macaluso said.

The new 102,000-square-foot church gives members more than enough room. It has a children and adult education wing, a gym, a fellowship hall, a food pantry, a state-of-the-art sanctuary, a fitness room, meeting rooms and offices.

Future usesinclude a racquetball court, a Christian preschool and outdoor and indoor adventure ropes courses.

"It's amazing," said Danielle Hanson, of Tully, a four-year member. "There's a lot more space for children now."

And more space for the community to use the church facilities and programs as well. The fitness room is open to the community, and groups are invited to use the fellowship hall. Basketball and volleyball leagues play in the gym.

"When Pastor Mac started talking about it, it just seemed so huge," Hanson said. "It's really cool the way the church came together and really was generous . . . the possibilities are endless."

The church members don't forget the community. Last year, they raked leaves for neighbors who couldn't do it themselves, said Mary Ellen Clausen, of Salina, who has been attending the church for a year and a half.

"I think that's what churches were designed for, community and outreach," Clausen said.