Calvary Chapel hopes to begin transforming the old Steinbach Credit Union building into a church and be moved in before next summer. 

“If everything went how we wanted it to, we would be in there between four to six months,” indicates Administrative Pastor Greg Friesen who notes that ideas began falling into place soon after they received a parking variance from Steinbach City Council around a month ago.

“Right now we are in the process of trying to sell our building, says Friesen, “We are also working with the SCU about legal terms, and trying to find a company that will help us renovate and make this place actually look like a church.”

Friesen explains that Calvary Chapel’s plan is to transform the teller area into an auditorium, the upper offices into Sunday School classrooms, and the basement into space for the youth. He says they will also look into adding a balcony later on. The new sanctuary in the SCU will permit around 450 people, more than doubling what their current building can hold. While these goals may seem ambitious, Friesen says they are trusting God to help sell their current facility.

Beyond merely an increase in space, Friesen feels God has called Calvary Chapel to the downtown area. “We are really excited that people will be walking past our front door every day, and Lord willing, walking into our front door. Whether its the homeless, or youth in need, the possibility for outreach to the community will exponentially grow.”

As part of Calvary Chapel’s vision of being a blessing to the community, Friesen says their primary objective is to be good neighbours to the businesses immediately beside them.

Before he became a pastor a number of years ago, Friesen mentions that he actually worked in the old SCU building. “It's a crazy feeling to walk into that building knowing that you used to help people with their financial needs in those offices, he reflects, “and now, to go back and deal with something on a deeper level is quite exciting."