Appleton Alliance Church moves forward with $22 million expansion | The Boldt Company

GRAND CHUTE — Appleton Alliance Church is set to begin construction today on a $22 million dollar expansion to its current facilities at 2693 W. Grand Chute Blvd.

The 120,000-square-foot addition will include an 1,800-seat Christian worship center, gym, finished athletic fields and a larger Discovery Land, a children's ministry area for ages 6 weeks to sixth grade.

Marty Myse, building chairman for the project, said it is a "very ambitious plan. My background is in small projects and this is clearly way beyond small. It's huge."

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. today at the church.

Myse said construction is beginning almost eight years to the day since Alliance opened the doors of its current 60,000-square-foot facility, which is visible from U.S. 41, east of Outagamie County A.

The current worship center seats 800.

Attendance at Sunday services now totals about 3,000.

Jes Zwaska, who handles graphics and communication for the church, said the expansion is much needed.

"I see how full it is, and the overflow," Zwaska said. "Services are full. Hallways are full. This is the fastest-growing congregation I've ever seen."

Other features of the capital project are a coffee shop, new student ministries area, increased parking and an updated security system.

The addition was designed by architect Progressive AE, with The Boldt Co. serving as construction manager.

The project, which will be done in phases starting with the expansion of the parking lot, is expected to take between 18 and 24 months.

Myse said the planning for the project has taken nearly two years, and the expanded facilities will allow the church and its congregation to continue to "serve the community with the gospel."

"We're very pleased that God has given us an opportunity to do what we're doing with this plan," he said. "The facility is just the place — it's the people within the place that make things happen."