SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — After 15 years of holding services at Ashley Ridge High School, Ashley Ridge Church is set to move into its own building next weekend, marking a significant milestone in the church’s growth.
A New Home for a Growing Congregation
The new building, which will serve as the church’s main location, is just part one of a larger project. The space currently being completed will serve as the planned children’s center. According to Jenn Williams, Ashley Ridge’s lead pastor, the total project cost is just under $10 million, which includes the 12 acres of land the church now owns.
Delays and Growth
The church had initially hoped to build a permanent space within three years of its founding, but due to financial constraints, rising construction costs, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, those plans were delayed. Williams explained, “Originally we thought two, three years in we’d be building a building,” but the church had to wait longer before breaking ground.
For over a decade, the congregation relied on transporting equipment every Sunday to Ashley Ridge High School, setting up and packing down each week. Williams noted that the church started with just one trailer for equipment and eventually upgraded to multiple trailers before moving into the new building.
Expanding to Meet Community Needs
The church’s new location, built just a stone’s throw away from Ashley Ridge High School, comes at a time when the surrounding area is growing rapidly. Longtime member Kara Greer, who has raised her children in the church, reflected on the church’s growth. “Watching the kids grow and the youth grow, watching the youth program grow from very minimal numbers to what it is now. It’s been incredible,” she said.
The church now has 1,200 active members, but the current building only has 300 seats. “We’ve been dreaming about it for so long, and it just felt good. It’s like this is home,” said Charla Powell, another long-time member and one of the first families to join the church.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, the church plans to expand even further with a larger building that can hold 1,000 people. Additional features include an outdoor amphitheater and a church-run food truck area. “We just envision so many incredible community events and movie nights and weddings and just a great place for people to gather and feel like they can belong,” Williams shared.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to the new building wasn’t without its challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and rising material costs nearly halted construction. “Before COVID, because of building costs, we would’ve been at $250 a square foot. But due to the current market, it ended up at $365 a square foot,” Williams explained, emphasizing how the project had to be scaled down in size to stay within budget.
Despite these hurdles, the church’s journey has been one of faith, patience, and perseverance. A church member reflected, “I think we had so much clarity that the high school could only ever be temporary.”
As the church prepares to open its doors in its new space, it looks forward to continuing its mission and serving the growing community around them.
