A year after fire, Stanwood church is celebrating
Published 9:00 pm Saturday, April 10, 2004
STANWOOD — One year ago, having just watched its historic church burn to the ground, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship had to use a movie theater for its Easter service.
This year, Easter services will be at its temporary strip mall location.
Next year, if all goes well, the message of resurrection will have the added resonance of a new church building at the site of the old church, 8303 Park Drive.
The congregation pulled together during the year and has even grown from 85 to 125 members, said Maray Tarsi, wife of the Rev. Mike Tarsi.
But members still have an uneasy feeling. The insurance money that has been paying the rent at the church’s current location, 9772 265th Ave. NW, Suite 104, runs out in June.
"Now, again, we’re looking for a place to meet until our building is put together," Tarsi said. "It’s kind of a weird spot to be in."
Many things are coming together, she said. The church has submitted an application for a building permit to the city of Stanwood.
The congregation is not wealthy, yet it found a reasonable deal on a metal church building in a catalog.
"The bank is working with us, and it looks like they’re going to give us the money we need," Tarsi said. "We’re just hoping the city will give us the green light."
The building plan calls for a two-story, 40-by-60-foot church. Because of its simple design, construction could be finished as soon as fall.
Meanwhile, the church is looking for another meeting place. Members are following up on leads. The local Seventh-Day Adventist church, which meets on Saturdays, might be one option, Tarsi said. Another is an old schoolhouse several miles north in Conway.
Not having a place lined up in the short term, even as long-term plans are coming together, makes for another unusual Easter.
"It’s kind of mixed emotions. Excitement, because we’ve never taken on such a huge project; and fear, of not knowing," Tarsi said. "We’re just trusting God again that he’s going to provide everything that’s needed."
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
