Posted: 6/5/02

Hosanna studying options for summer

The congregation of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Forest Lake continues to search for answers and a short-term plan following a destructive fire on Memorial Day.

ìWe are still trying to figure out odds and ends and where to move,î said Pastor Michael Sparby this week.

An early morning fire on May 27 caused significant damage to the church. The old sanctuary, office area and kitchen was hard hit by flames.

Cause of the blaze is still unknown and remains under investigation by the state fire marshalís office.

Forest Lake Fire Chief Gary Sigfrinius last week set the preliminary damage estimate would be in the area of $1 million with a cause not likely to be known for 30 days.

The church has cemented its worship plans for the next two weeks, Sparby said.

Hosanna will have one Sunday worship service at 9:30 a.m. at Lakeside Memorial Park in downtown Forest Lake. The park services started last Sunday under a planned program by the church that was not dictated by the fire.

Sparby said two services will continue to be offered for the south congregation in Hugo. The 9 a.m. service will be at the Rice Lake Park Building with the 10:30 service at Bald Eagle Regional Park, he said.

Sparby said the church received some good news in recent days. He said the Great Hall in the new addition at Hosanna was found structurally sound but will need a new ceiling. He said the education wing on the south end of the church is also structurally sound and can be used again in the future.

Sparby says the church continues to work on establishing an inventory of the loss and damage caused by the fire, smoke, water and heat.

He said the church is now weighing options and offers from other churches in the Forest Lake area for a second Sunday service in addition to the park service.

ìWeíve had several offers,î he said. ìWe need to figure what works best.î A second inside service may be ready to start by Sunday, June 16, he said.

The church telephone number of 651-464-5502 remains in service.

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