Church Expansion Plans Nearing Final Approval In Wrightstown

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — A growing congregation in Wrightstown is one vote away from receiving final approvals to expand its church building on Durham Road.

During its January work session, the Wrightstown Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to direct its solicitor to draw up a resolution approving preliminary/final plans for the expansion at St. Mark’s Orthodox Church.

The resolution, to be voted on at the board’s next meeting, will be subject to the execution of a stormwater management agreement, compliance with the engineer’s letter and the approval of requested waivers.

The property at 452 Durham Road is currently improved with a 2,000 square foot church and fellowship hall and a parsonage.

Father Raymond Browne, the pastor of the church, told the supervisors that the church’s current facilities are too small for the growing congregation. He shared with the board that when he came to St. Mark’s 13 years ago, the church had 42 registered members. Today, the church boasts 120 members and it’s continuing to grow.

With that said, Father Browne said the space hasn’t grown proportionally, creating challenges for the congregation in terms of accessibility and providing religious education.

“The existing space - both the upstairs church and the downstairs hall - are just not suitable anymore for the parish that we have in terms of square footage, but also in terms of accessibility," he said, pointing to a steep staircase that limits the church's use of the hall.

The accessibility issues, he said, has forced the congregation to hold events, like the congregation's annual meeting, in its first floor worship area. "Traditionally in the Orthodox Church, the only thing that takes place in the church are religious services. For reasons of accessibility, we've had to do that," said Browne.

In addition, Father Browne said there's a need for classroom and office space, which doesn't exist in the current church building.

“The current space is grossly inadequate to our current needs. I have currently 10 adults actively interested in becoming Orthodox Christians so it doesn’t look like it’s going to dissipate," he said of the church's continued growth.

The church is planning to expand its worship area from 1,825 up to 4,000 square feet, including a new vestibule and narthex. The plan also includes a 5,400 square foot addition that will house a ground floor parish hall, kitchen, four classrooms/meeting rooms, and parish offices. The basement will be turned into a storage area. And the parking lot will be paved with 60 spaces.

The floor plan showing the church's expansion plans. (St. Mark's Orthodox Church)