09/01/2026
The Church Renovation Team presented an opportunity to the Church Council yesterday and the Council asked me to use our various communication channels to present it to the congregation.
One of the things that has been the sense of the team is the desire to make some changes in the sanctuary to return some of the changes that were made in the renovation in the 1960’s to styles that are more period appropriate to the original building, while maintaining and even improving the function with modern updates that do not encroach on the historic design.
One thing specifically that has been mentioned by team members - and TO team members by members of the congregation - is as sense of some remorse at no longer having the historic altar that was in the original church design.
The Renovation Team has been keeping our eyes out for a possible replacement altar that is similar to that old altar. We were recently made aware of a Lutheran church in Michigan that is closing their doors and has a beautiful high altar. We’ve been in contact with the pastor at that church and they are willing to gift the altar to us so it can continue to be of service to God and God’s people in another historic Lutheran church. All that we would need to do is arrange to transport it from Michigan to Priddy.
The team estimates that the best option for this transport would be to send two people to Michigan by air and have them drive the altar home in a u-haul truck. Approximate costs for this are as follows: Airfare for 2 - $800, U-Haul Truck - $1800, Approximately 1600 miles should be about $1000 in fuel cost, plus we figure a couple of nights lodging and food on the way home … perhaps another $3-400. So, a total of just under $4000. We have two individuals that are willing to make the trip if approved.
The Church Council seems in favor of this but is constitutionally limited to spending $3000. We do have a commitment from anonymous members to cover the additional $1000, but the Council wants to get some feedback from the congregation regarding this change.
The photos that are attached to this post are of the original altar in Zion Lutheran Church sanctuary (black and white) and of the altar that we are proposing to acquire and bring back to Priddy.
Feel free to make comments in reply to this post, or to contact me directly by phone or text.
Pastor Mark
