Community First Bank & Trust Provides Financing for St. Andrew Expansion
COLUMBIA, TN (August 27, 2009) – Community First Bank & Trust previously approved $4.1mm in financing for the expansion of Lutheran Church of St. Andrew. The first phase of the church’s expansion is scheduled for completion in November, adding more than 9,025 square feet to the current structure.
The expansion comes at a time when many banks are not in a position to make sizeable loans to businesses and other organizations. “Despite much of the negative news about the banking industry, many community banks are thriving in this economy and are able to lend because of sound business decisions and strong customer relationships. We are glad to be in a position to help St. Andrew grow,” said Marc Lively, President and CEO of Community First. “This church has many strong outreach ministries and this expansion will help better serve its members and the community.”
In addition to providing expansion financing, Community First extended a line of credit to St. Andrew to purchase a rare 1969 Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, appraised at more than $1.5 million from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The organ was available since the Cathedral no longer served as a local church. The Cathedral facility and property was sold to a non-denominational church which would not use the organ for worship. Members of the Kalamazoo congregation and diocese were very proud of the fact the organ was sold to a church and not sold for parts or dismantled. The organ was removed, shipped and currently is being restored awaiting its installation in the new nave at St. Andrew in late fall, 2009.
“As our membership and community activities have grown, we realized we needed more space to accommodate those who gather and worship with us,” said The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Lippard. “We are obviously very excited about the growth of our church, as well as the contributions we will be able to make to our members and to the community with this expansion and our plans for future growth.” Future expansion plans for St. Andrew include a fellowship hall, Christian education space, outreach ministry areas, office space and a meditation garden.
The church’s building partner, Orion Building Corporation in Brentwood, recently led members on a tour of the new building, which was designed by Principal, Baird Dixon and Carly Wansing of Street Dixon Rick Architecture, PLC. A nine-foot tall, 260-pound stainless steel cross has been set on the new bell tower. Church member Kris Nethercutt, with K.A.L. Metal Products, fabricated the cross. About St. Andrew Lutheran ChurchIn 1974, the Lutheran Church in America called The Rev. Eric C. Pearson to develop a Lutheran witness in Franklin, Tenn. The new mission held its first worship service in November of that year. Less than a year later, the Lutheran Church of Saint Andrew was officially organized and Pastor Pearson accepted the call to be the new congregation’s first pastor. The church has been in its present location at 908 Murfreesboro Road since 1982. The Rev. Dr. Michael A. Lippard became the third called pastor of St. Andrew in April 2008. More information is available at www.saintandrewchurch.com.
About Community First Bank Community First Bank & Trust, based in Columbia, TN, was founded in 1999 to provide a superior banking experience for the communities they serve. Ten years later, Community First Bank & Trust is now the 15th largest Tennessee-based bank in Tennessee, operating 10 offices located in Maury, Williamson, Hickman and Rutherford Counties with over $730 million in total assets. The bank provides a comprehensive line of banking services to consumers and businesses in the Middle Tennessee area. Additional information concerning Community First can be accessed by visiting the bank’s website at www.cfbk.com.
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