Architect John Schoonover and builder Al Kerrick are looking to build a multipurpose room measuring 55 by 80 feet on the back side of the existing building. The new space would be used for celebrations, events, dinners, sports, etc. It would also include an updated kitchen.

St. Paul's is in the process of obtaining permits from the township to begin construction.

Pastor John Harding of the congregation that numbers 300 expects the project to cost around $390,000.

"St. Paul's is a community church, open to everyone," said Harding. "Our building gets used for weddings, receptions, birthday parties, boy scouts, girl scouts, soup kitchen, sports, ladies sewing and quilting clubs, school and the list goes on."

The small fellowship gym they currently are using holds about 90 people comfortably. Only two four-burner stoves are available for cooking.

"Can you imagine feeding over 100 people with these two little stoves?" asked Harding. He went on to say, "We need a larger space to hold these events and a bigger kitchen with restaurant style stoves for dinners."

Since the church does offer a pre-K through third grade school program, they would like to be able to use the multipurpose room for gym class or other events as well.
St. Paul's Church dates back to 1760 when a worship center was located along Route 209 in Smithfield Township. The old building and cemetery still exist next to Muller's Diner.

A new sanctuary was constructed at its current location on Craig's Meadow Road in 1854, occupying six acres of land.

In 1983, a modern sanctuary was constructed and serves as the worship center. The school and church buildings sit on six acres of land.

"We do a lot of volunteering, which is more important than how many committees we have," said Harding.

He takes his job as pastor seriously. After the flooding from Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, the church collected blankets, mattresses and bikes to send to Biloxi, Miss. A collection box for Angel's Closet sits in the foyer of the building. A food pantry sits in the sanctuary,

"We help as many families as we can with food items donated by the school students and church membership," said Harding.

The pastor is now also adding training an intern to his responsibilities. Debbie North from Moravian Seminary works 10 to 12 hours a week with Harding to develop her pastoral skills, caring for the members and giving the Sunday morning sermon once a month.