Marlow Methodist's "Pastor Jake"
Discusses the Building of the New Fellowship Hall

     "We hope that our new building will enable Marlow United Methodist Church to foster community ministry," he said. "The project started as a conventional fellowship hall, but we have customized it to better respond to possible 'multi-purpose' emerging needs," Pastor Jake Brady added. He has been with the Marlow congregation since 2006, about when this project formally commenced, although planning and saving had started a long before.

     Pastor Jake Brady of Marlow United Methodist Church posed briefly in front of the Marlow congregation's new fellowship hall which is under construction. The historic Marlow United Methodist Church to the right was constructed in 1926. - Click to enlarge.

     Al Rochford, congregational member for seven years, was happy to share details of the spatial layout of this building project, explaining that classrooms, a nursery, restrooms, and office space were laid out physically before one reaches the main fellowship hall focus area. A raised platform will be situated on one side and "there will be seating for about 225 people around round tables in this center area." Rochford pointed to a large center area of space without wall or column. Across from the main resource area will be a kitchen and additional classroom space. "We will have storage on each side of the hall area and special space for sound and electrical equipment," Rochford noted.

     Pastor Jake Brady from Marlow Methodist Church (standing) discussed the Marlow parish hall building project with Zion's Men's 710 on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. A number of men from the Marlow congregation joined Pastor Jake and the men of Silverhill as Pastor Jake discussed the building process which formally began in 2006.

     "This fellowship area will be tied to our 1926-era church by a breezeway which will integrate the old worship facility with this new fellowship facility," Pastor Jake explained. Space in the existing church building will be reallocated with some hope of perhaps relocating the chancel backwards a number of feet, allowing the 130 seat sanctuary area to add seating for another 70 congregants on a Sunday morning. "My current office space in this adjacent house on the other side of our new fellowship hall will be reallocated to ministry aimed at youth," he added.

     Pastor Jake (r) of Marlow United Methodist Church recently discussed window and door mold issues with parishioner Al Rochford at the entryway to the church's new fellowship hall, now under construction. - Click to enlarge.

     Pastor Jake can be reached at Marlow United Methodist Church, located at 16135 County Road 9 in Marlow. Information about the church, building project, and ministries can be obtained by calling (251) 988-8563