By: Sharon Aron Baron
A former banquet hall on Commercial Boulevard will soon get a major overhaul by The Korean United Methodist Church after their site plan was approved by the city commission on Wednesday.
The property located at 6501 West Commercial Boulevard adjacent from Mainlands 8 has had a number of uses including Duff’s Plaza in 1981; David’s Custom Caterers in 1990; David’s Catering and Banquet Center in 2002; Diamante’s Catering and Banquet Center in 2004; and the Genera Educational Multiplex I in 2010.
Plans for the 37,000 square feet building call for a major construction overhaul. First, the eastern side building will be demolished and two separate buildings will be created. The new eastern building will hold the sanctuary that will seat 404 people, a youth worship room, the choir, and office. The western side of the building will house the bible study, fellowship hall, and offices for the church will be reconfigured and approved aesthetically. In between the two buildings will be a 6,000 square foot courtyard.
The roof will be aluminum, and the building will have added columns, a covered entry, 192 new trees and 1,700 new shrubs.
“Our church will be a good neighbor to the community,” said their Senior Pastor Dr. Ky H. Yuhn who said that the congregation is one of the fastest growing in the United States. “We have about 600 people and about ten years ago we had about eighty.”
Sunday church worship will be from 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and bible study will be held during various times on Wednesdays, Fridays, as well as prayer sessions on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings.
The Korean United Methodist Church will also contribute $25,000 towards the new buffer wall that will be installed along NW 57 street.
The congregation, formerly located on West Prospect Road bought their new location in December of 2014 at auction for $2.25 million.
“We welcome you to our city, and we thank you for bringing your congregation to our city,” said Mayor Harry Dressler. “We are very happy to have you and wish you well on your project.
