25 years ago: Construction boom shared by local churches

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Dec. 3, 1986:

Eight Lawrence churches had invested more than $2.2 million for various construction and renovation projects this year. Plymouth Congregational Church, 925 Vermont, was planning to spend about $250,000 to replace its roof, gutters, and downspouts. First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont, had earmarked more than $1.4 million to add a new fellowship hall, improve the heating and air-conditioning system, and add an elevator for wheelchair accessibility. The Rev. Mark Hoelter, campus pastor for the Immanuel Lutheran Church and University Student Center at 2104 W. 15th, said that his church had completed a $500,000 improvement project in August replacing the roof and all windows, expanding and resurfacing the parking lot, and adding space for 11 classrooms. A $125,000 addition had been added at the Clinton Parkway Assembly of God Church, 3200 Clinton Parkway, and the Haskell Catholic Center at 2301 Barker was completing a $7,200 remodeling project. New church signs were in the works for the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center and the Indian Hills Church of God as well.