wfn.org | Kentucky Church First to Benefit from New Loan Fund

["Communication Ministries" <wshuffit@cm.disciples.org>]

Date: November 21, 2001
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Curt Miller
E-mail: cmiller@cm.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

01a-59

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Church Extension of Disciples of Christ
has announced that Hill Street Christian Church in Louisville,
Ky., will be the first congregation to receive financing from
the accessibility loan fund. Hill Street will receive a $25,000
loan to fund the installation of an elevator lift with access to
all levels of the building. "We celebrate with the Hill Street
congregation and all the accessibility loan fund donors who have
made this initial three percent loan to the congregation a
possibility," stated Ellen L. Mitchell, Church Extension's vice
president for development.

	Started in 1997, the fund represents gifts received by Church
Extension for the purpose of providing low-interest loans for
capital projects involving the removal of physical barriers. In
August, Mitchell announced that the $500,000 goal for the
accessibility loan fund had been surpassed and churches could
begin seeking low-interest Church Extension loans for capital
projects.  Qualifying projects for the accessibility loans
include: ramps and accessible building entrances, elevators and
accessible restrooms.

	According to the Rev. Clifford Willis, pastor of Hill Street
Christian Church, "A number of our members are vision impaired
and are having to constantly battle stairs leading to the
worship area or fellowship hall. We serve the community in many
ways so it is important to our entire congregation to make the
building accessible for all. Before moving ahead, we called on
Church Extension to assess our building needs which included an
extremely helpful architectural consultation."

	Over the years, the congregation has faced difficult
challenges. In 1994, fire destroyed their facilities, forcing
the congregation to purchase a new building. During that time,
Church Extension provided a host of services including a site
consultation.

	Although the initial goal of $500,000 has been reached, Church
Extension continues to make the accessibility loan fund a
priority. For more information on how to make an annual,
memorial, named fund or extenders fund gift to the accessibility
loan fund, contact Ellen Mitchell at 800-274-1883 or via e-mail:
emitchell@churchextension.org.

	Church Extension, with headquarters in Indianapolis, is one of
the largest planning and financing agencies in Protestantism,
assisting Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations
and their organizations in all phases of capital expansion and
improvement. Church Extension provides an array of services
including: investment opportunities, lending and fund raising
leadership.

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