Filled with gratitude

The sale is final and the congregation of Faith United Methodist Church finally has a place to call home. A consecration service was held Nov. 18 at 5900 U.S. Highway 83 N.

After the Souris River flood of 2011, members of Faith United gathered for services at Vincent United Methodist Church in Minot. A deconsecration and mortgage burning service was held June 3 at the former church site, located at 801 University Ave. W.

The "new" 10,000-square-foot home for the church has served various purposes in past years. The building was once home to Field and Stream Restaurant and later served as a family home.

Article Photos

The altar of Faith United Methodist Church was saved from the Souris River flood of 2011and now has a new home at 5900 U.S. Highway 83 N.
Loretta Johnson/MDN

Chairs are in place and ready for worship services in the sanctuary area.
Loretta Johnson/MDN

Faith Prestidge, of Minot, looks on as Randy Bell, Minot, shows one of the grain storage bins in the kitchen area.
Loretta Johnson/MDN

The Rev. Debra Ball-Kilbourne had no renovations to do when she moved into the pastor’s office. The area was the former owner’s home office.
Loretta Johnson/MDN

The former master bedroom currently serves as a temporary choir room. It is a private area where families can gather prior to a funeral. The huge room also will be used as a bride's room.

Two of the bedrooms now serve as a nursery area and a classroom. One of the bedrooms has been transformed into the Resource Agency Flood Team office.

Circular tables and chairs fill the sunken living room area where a fireplace warms the air with ambiance.

The altar, the baptismal font and a pew were among items rescued from the flooded church. They can be found in the church sanctuary. Just to the west of the altar, a patio door leads to an open area where there's a firepit.

The kitchen area is top of the line. There are cabinets galore; hidden in some of the cabinets are stow-away appliances, bread drawers and a steamer oven. There's no need to carry water from the sink to the stove; there's a retractable wall-mount pot filler in the stove area.

The heated garage will be renovated to serve as the choir room and the basement will serve as an education area.

The Rev. Debra Ball-Kilbourne, pastor of the congregation, is excited about all the possibilities at the facility, which sits on a 14-acre site.

"Already we've seen new faces worshipping with us," she said.