Community Corner

Lutheran Church of Our Savior Completes $1.7M Renovation Project

Church holds ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday in Port Washington.

Following the completion of an extensive, $1.7-million expansion and renovation, the Lutheran Church of Our Savior held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house event for the entire Port Washington community Saturday.  

Funding for the church project at 12 Franklin Ave. was raised through bequests from congregation members and fundraising efforts that continued for more than a decade.  

The event included a ceremonial ribbon cutting, unveiling of the renovated interiors, a performance by a world-renown organist and music director, Federico Teti, and activities for children and teens, including a basketball clinic by a leading Long Island coach John Buck.   

“I am very excited that we were able to improve our facilities for the benefit of the congregation as well as the entire Port Washington community,” said Reverend Dr. Charles R. Vogeley. “I would like to thank all congregation and project team members who made today’s re-opening celebration possible. 
In particular, I would like to recognize Tom Rice, who managed the entire project on behalf of our church, Roger Smith of BBS Architects, who designed the beautiful addition and new interiors, and the tireless supporter of the Port Washington community and parish secretary, after whom we have named the new kitchen, Veronica Ann Mosby,” he added.  

BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers served as the architect, interior designer, landscape architect and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer.  Triton Construction was the general contractor. 

The major goals of the two-year renovation were to create larger and more functional facilities for community and athletic activities as well as to better integrate the original church and the new sections,” according to project architect BBS Architects President and Principal Architect, Roger P. Smith.

The expanded and renovated church will offer the local community upgraded, spacious, and elegant wedding, worship, event and athletic facilities. 

The church, founded in 1915, moved from South Washington Street to a storefront chapel on Main Street, before moving to its current location on Franklin Avenue in 1925, when the oldest section of the current church was completed.    

The impressive English Tudor and Gothic Revival structure has served as an anchor of the community and an architectural landmark for almost 90 years.  This traditional design is also reflected in the church’s striking sanctuary. 

In 1962, the building was expanded with a Post Modern-style addition that houses a gymnasium, community event areas, and administrative offices.  

The renovated structure houses a new elevator to provide easy wheelchair access to every floor in the building, including the sanctuary. 

The project tripled the size of the formal lobby to 510 square feet. The 455-square feet lobby addition features an expansive, Gothic-style window.  The designers reused the stone of the original 1920s church structure by incorporating it into a new flagpole planter bed.


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