A few weeks ago, it looked like nothing more than a project to perhaps replace a water line or some other minor infrastructure issue. A few weeks later, it’s very clear that what’s taking place at the Bridgeport United Methodist Church is a little bit bigger than that.

 

As it turns out, the project is an infrastructure one, but not of the water or sewage variety. Rev. Steve Engle, the church’s Minister of Discipleship, said the project is addressing a long-time issue at the church on Worthington Drive.

 

“We’re adding some much-needed additional parking,” said Engle. “Even with us having a three-service format (6:15 p.m. Saturday, 8:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday) we have long had the need for additional parking. It’s different today than when this church was first operating back in 1953. Back then, everyone walked,” Engle joked.

 

Engle said the new project will provide at least 24 new parking spaces. He said that once the new and existing areas are rearranged and new parking angles are painted to the lot that there could actually be a few more.

 

Once the project is complete, Engle said parking lot traffic will be one way. Once you enter, you will circle the lot and exit by Church Street, which is the roadway between the Methodist Church and Simpson Creek Baptist Church.

 

The new lot and the work can be witnessed for those heading up Worthington Drive off of Virginia Avenue. The section that will have the new parking lot is angled across from the new section of Simpson Elementary that is nearly complete.

 

“We have the infrastructure that is needed complete and we’re pretty far along with the grading,” said Engle. “Within a few weeks I believe you’ll see the gravel, the fill and eventually the paving taking place.”

 

As for when it will be done, Engle wasn’t sure. He said there is no deadline on the project. He also said that barring something unusual the completion would be within weeks as opposed to months.

 

The project also allowed the Bridgeport United Methodist Church to help out its neighbors – and have some fun with – the Simpson Creek Baptist Church.

 

Engle said Simpson Creek Baptist Church had an area where they needed to fill on their property. Because of that, the Bridgeport United Methodist Church was able to have its contractor – Anderson Construction – to take its soil and move it to the next lot. It helped out their neighbor, as well as themselves, and allowed the two faiths to have a joke about it as well.

 

“We’ve been told now that the Baptists now have the dirt on the Methodists to which we have countered that since you have our dirt you have to take your shoes off because it’s holy Methodist ground,” joked Engle. “We’ve actually had a lot of fun going back and forth and, to be honest, it’s worked out beautifully for both churches.”

 

The parking lots will likely be beneficial to the community beyond those at the church. The existing lots are often utilized by the community for downtown events such as Light Up Night, as well as for other community activities that may take place at the schools.