Houses of worship expand in SW Austin

AUSTIN (COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWS) - Southwest Austin houses of worship are expanding, but their plans are grander than larger walls and more pews.

Their site plans include community centers and gathering spaces. The idea is to better serve the faithful and use these new facilities to draw new believers.

There are three projects on a 3-mile stretch of Hwy. 71 alone:

• Southwest Family Fellowship is planning a 15,000-square-foot addition, including an auditorium and education buildings;
• Muslim congregation Masjid Ibrahim is doing site work to build a new mosque, classroom facility and residence;
• and PromiseLand West Bible Church continues to build its Dream City worship center and 1,000-seat outdoor amphitheater with lawn area.

Elsewhere in South Austin, Bethany Lutheran Church just opened its new community center, and Woodlawn Baptist Church just completed a major renovation to its exterior. Last year, First Evangelical Free Church built a coffee shop on its property.

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