GREEN BAY, WI -- Members of a church with a century old history set in stone are celebrating, in Green Bay, Sunday.
Saint Paul Lutheran Church has recently wrapped up renovations, helping them accommodate a growing, diverse community.
In a neighborhood near downtown Green Bay sits a church with a legacy dating back to 1883.
"Yeah, there are members here now whose great great grandparents were charter members back in the 1800's," says Pastor Jon Zabell, "and there's some brand new people, too."
And it's those newer, and potential members, that Zabell says they're hoping to cater more to.
"We're really looking for ways always to connect with our community," says Zabell. "It's a multicultural neighborhood."
Congregation volunteers are currently offering weekly English as a second language classes free of charge.
"We have volunteers from our church who are regularly here 3 afternoons/evenings a week," says Zabell.
The church itself has has seen some recent additions, as well, including a new altar, and repairs to the stained glass windows.
But as of this month, there's now weekly Spanish services.
"We have a pastor who is bilingual," adds Zabell.
The renovations also cater to the congregations' hard of hearing.
"The floor is intended to be more reflective of sound," says Zabell. "We put a hearing loop under the floor."
And with an organ that has decades of history behind it, they're sounds that this church is eager to show off.
"Every organ is always customized in certain ways to fit the room. And I would have to say, this one purrs very nicely in this space," says Dir. of Commission on Worship Bryan Gerlach, just before breaking into another hymn.
Weekly Spanish services are now held Saturday evenings, at 5:30.
English courses are offered three nights a week.
