WE PURCHASED LAND
We had our collective eye on a piece of property in the fall of 2001 and put an offer on it. However, it was tied up between two owners who disagreed on selling it. The property changed hands and we were first in line to purchase the property we wanted.
After much waiting, in Spring 2003 Girdwood Chapel purchased approximately 2.6 acres of land on the corner of Timberline Drive and Alyeska Highway in Girdwood. The purchase price was $200,000 and we believe that this was a great deal considering the cost of land in the area. The land has a lot of peat moss on it, but it's ours and we can have oversight on its use in ministry and service in the town.
Before we purchased the land our Superintendent, Rev. Monte Baker, had a walking tour of the property. He
Site Work Begins -- May 2003
immediately saw the benefits of this property for ministry in Girdwood:
it is big enough for a good-sized church, it is located on a main road,
it has a lot of residential property around it, and (perhaps most
importantly) it was available. Rev. Baker closed his walking tour with
“There’s not a doubt in my mind. This is exactly the place Girdwood
Chapel needs to be located.” Upon reflection and prayer, the members
and friends of Girdwood Chapel could not agree more.
While we have appreciated the years of ministry we have gotten out of the old church building, it is not, at this point, a part of our long-term plans. There are structural issues with its continued use that would probably require more money to fix than to build an equivalent—and new—space. Yet, we will continue to use it as we have need.