Congregations are known for turning old storefronts and other spaces into churches.
Omaha’s Waypoint Church is close to making its move into a place that’s a little more unusual: a former bowling alley.
Waypoint hopes to move into the former Kelley’s Hilltop Lanes in midtown Omaha by April.
Neighborhood leaders are glad to see the bowling alley, which closed in summer 2013, get new life.
“We are happy to see something useful and positive can be done with it,’’ said Adam Langdon, president of the Dundee-Memorial Park Neighborhood Association.
Hope Vinson, the church’s communication coordinator, said it has received a good response from neighbors. Some have stopped by during the renovation to ask when it will open for services.
Waypoint bought the former bowling alley at 48th Avenue and Hamilton Street in September 2013, and the renovation is nearing completion, said Silas West, the church’s executive pastor.
Part of the work has included removing a drop-ceiling. That change exposed the building’s original curved ceiling and wooden bow trusses, giving the church a high ceiling and open feel, Vinson said.
Vinson said there will be space for children and youth programs. The building’s foyer will provide a cafe area where people can gather before and after services.
Waypoint, an evangelical nondenominational church, was founded about seven years ago. It has never had a permanent home. Currently it holds services in the auditorium at Norris Middle School near 45th and Center Streets.
A permanent home will enable the church to expand its children’s ministry, adult education and other programs, West said. The church also hopes to grow in size.
As many as 350 adults and children attend weekly services. Growing by about 100 people within a year is a goal, West said.
Vinson said Waypoint was drawn to the former bowling alley in part by the diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods. The church hopes to draw a mix of people including college students and young families.
“We really want to grow once we jump into this space,’’ Vinson said.
Contact the writer: 402-444-1122, michael.oconnor@owh.com
