Once the summer season is over on Sept. 1, the building will be much busier with more activities and perhaps that's when the real test will come. That's also when First Congregational will move its Sunday services ahead one hour, to 11 a.m.

Beliefs of the two Protestant churches aren't that far apart, but both ministers agree that was never a necessity for this arrangement to work out.

The Rev. Goodier said initially his church looked at schools and commercial buildings as possible places to house the congregation for about a year. Commercial buildings needed too much remodeling, and schools didn't seem to work either.

"Whatever we looked at wasn't meeting our needs," he said. As it worked out, First Congregational, about two miles down the road, became the prime choice.

"It's even in the same ZIP code," the Rev. Goodier said. "They've been very warm to us."

Despite the shared building, United Methodist went through all its materials and decided what could be put in storage and done without for a year.

Built in 1954 and added on in the 1960s, United Methodist's facility had become too small. The present sanctuary will remain, but sprinklers will be added there for fire protection.

The United Methodist building project involves 35,000 square feet. Reconfiguring the 2.25-acre site, including demolition of much of the church's existing facilities and a neighboring residence, are part of the preparation for new construction. Furst Construction is the contractor. It will also help the church remodel much of its campus, including the kitchen and all of the classroom and office areas. The new structure will include a music room, additional classrooms, a nursery and day-care area, a youth room and a multipurpose gymnasium.

Groundbreaking on the new facility was held July 18, with 12-15 months anticipated for completion.

Well-known for its large Boy Scout troop, United Methodist is using the First Congregational gymnasium for Scout meetings. Also home to the Wesley Bell Ringers, United Methodist has been using a multipurpose room to accommodate that musical group.

United Methodist has been meeting first, with two early services on Sunday.

The Rev. Goodier admits that when this experience is over, it might lead to some different or better ways of doing things for the church. That's because the temporary home has shaken up its traditional thinking.

The Rev. Ritter hopes that another church needing more space will realize that since the use arrangement worked well with United Methodist, that they can share facilities with some other faith needing a new home, after United Methodist moves out.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com