A proposal to expand the King of Glory Lutheran Church by 19,000 square feet had previously been recommended for approval during the May 1 planning commission meeting, and during the James City County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 11, the board unanimously approved the expansion, according to video footage from the meeting.
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Over the past years, the church has seen growth in its congregation and community programs, now serving more than 800 members, according to published reports.
A few years ago, the church expanded its campus by adding a large multipurpose room, new meeting rooms and offices which created more space to expand with community partners such at the Mercy House and Faith in Action.
During the meeting, Tom Leininger, planner for the project, said currently the church is using the existing sanctuary space for three services each Sunday, as well as providing pre-school for children ages 2 to 6.
The added area will provide the church with an expansion to the sanctuary, which will seat 550 people, administrative offices, a nursery, gathering spaces, and an enlarged kitchen. There will be a remodeling of the current sanctuary area to add six classrooms for the pre-school.
In addition, the proposal includes an additional 152 parking spaces to support uses of the location as public assembly, and school and neighborhood resource centers.
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The additions are compatible with the current Longhill Road Corridor Widening project, mitigating any additional traffic impacts associated with the expansion.
There will be two points of access for the church, one through the planned traffic circle at Williamsburg Plantation and another closer to Route 199 that will be a right turn only.
