Religious institutions around ASU are under construction - some for the first time ever.
The All Saints Catholic Newman Center, the First United Methodist Church and the institute operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all looking toward expansion and renovation to adapt to the growing student population at the Tempe campus.
"We're bursting at the seams," said Mary Macuga, director of development at the Newman Center.
The Newman Center will replace the old auditorium that housed masses for the historical church when membership totaled 180 people in 1962.
Now with more than 13,000 worshippers and ASU's reputation as one of the largest universities in the nation, the Center plans to build a 10,000-square-foot building to be completed by the beginning of 2008. The plan awaits a final permit approval from the city of Tempe next month.
The new building will be built at the center's current site at 230 E. University Drive and will house a larger chapel, social center for student gathering and events, a student center for campus ministries, an adoration chapel and a larger courtyard.
Originally the project was estimated to cost $4.75 million, but in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, construction prices soared, and the Newman Center faces costs of $5.7 million.
"It was very intimidating for us to have prices go up 20 percent," Macuga said. "It was like a miracle to have raised the money."
Macuga credited the ASU community as a large part of their support with over 700 ASU students, faculty and staff that participated in fundraising.
"We have wonderful support from the University community, and they deserve a beautiful place to worship," she said.
Just down University Drive, the First United Methodist Church is currently under its first of three phases of renovations on the sanctuary. With over 1,000 current members - about one half made up of students - it also alludes to a growing number of members.
"We're expanding, and we needed [the changes]," said Ann Ker, administrative secretary of the United Methodist Church.
Building Committee Chair Sonia Burns said the renovations, along with the church's plans to expand its programs, would accommodate more students.
"It's been since around 1960 (when the church was built), so it's about time," Burns said.
The new sanctuary will be handicap-accessible, with added changing rooms for the bride and grooms during wedding services. Smaller improvements would be made within the sanctuary, like improved sound systems, viewing screens and lighting.
The first phase should be complete by Sept. 10.
Within a year, the second phase of renovation will commence, and a second floor will be added over the administrative offices in Ross Hall and the community center and music room in the Baker Center. A patio area with coffee tables and chairs will be set up outside of the Baker Center, which will move toward Forest Avenue.
Across campus, just south of the Psychology building, the LDS Institute is already under construction. The new, two-level facility will be built alongside a parking garage and will include a sanctuary and chapel, administrative offices and house classes that are open to both LDS and non-LDS students.
"The new facility will be much larger and able to accommodate more students," said Institute Director Hyrum Wright.
Currently the church rents out the Ritter building from ASU until the new building is expected to be complete by May 1. The land is owned by the LDS, and the church funded all project costs.
Wright said the ASU environment has a "great diversity" of cultural and religious affiliation that has helped make the LDS's academic program successful.
"I believe religious instruction and faith-based instruction is very important in any academic base a student pursues," Wright said. "It helps answer any questions a student may have at this time in life."
Nancy Merritt, director of administration at the Newman Center, agreed.
"It's not about proselytizing or trying to convert students," Merritt said. "It's about students coming to a university, trying to experience their faith and see how it fits into their lives."
Reach the reporter at lily.yan@asu.edu.
