Pictured are First Lutheran Church volunteers Jill Von Allmen (front), Jeanne Appleton and Donna Woodman (back, left to right) cleaning kitchen equipment Thursday after floodwaters severely damaged the east side Janesville church on April 17. After the flooding, the congregation has begun questioning whether to continue to repair the building, construct a smaller building on the same site, or relocate entirely.=
Pictured are First Lutheran Church volunteers Jill Von Allmen (front), Jeanne Appleton and Donna Woodman (back, left to right) cleaning kitchen equipment Thursday after floodwaters severely damaged the east side Janesville church on April 17. After the flooding, the congregation has begun questioning whether to continue to repair the building, construct a smaller building on the same site, or relocate entirely.=
JANESVILLE — A month after floodwaters rushed into First Lutheran Church and caused major damage, the congregation is asking tough questions about the church’s future.
Pastor Michael Mueller wouldn’t rule out multiple options for addressing the flood damage to the church that came after the first floor was swamped with water four or five feet deep. It came after a stream of water rushed through its front doors during the flood April 17, prompting efforts to rescue people stuck inside during a special service.
The congregation may fix the building as is, with necessary upgrades. But other options could include construction of a smaller church onsite at 612 N. Randall Ave. — or a different location entirely.
“It’s still pretty recent. There’s a desire to just get done. It’s hard to believe it’s been a month,” Mueller said.
A congregation meeting is slated Tuesday. Church leaders say it will kick off a discussion of three potential options: To keep going with the facility under its current footprint, stay at the current site but with a smaller footprint, or relocate.
If the congregation decides to fix the current building, Mueller said full repairs likely won’t come before the end of 2026.
“To get in for Christmas would require us to be in at the beginning of December. I don’t think that’s possible,” Mueller said.
A return to normal requires full replacement of the church electrical system to bring it to current code standards. Then there are needed upgrades for fire protection and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance.
Electric system and heating, ventilation and air conditioning repairs could cost the church a staggering amount: $2 million. That’s on top of other work that is ongoing, gutting the first floor to repair walls and flooring.
The second and third floors were untouched by floodwaters. If the ultimate plan is a straight-up fix, the church would use the second and third floors primarily.
That might mean converting the first floor completely to a basement.
Mueller said it doesn’t make sense to gear the second and third floors for main use without a full vision for it.
“It’s a building bigger than what we need. It costs a lot to run it,” Mueller said. “So, if we’re going to move back into it, let’s for sure redesign it in a way that fits the mission.”
Meanwhile, those at the church continue to bring up the idea of relocation.
Mueller also said a consideration could be to “radically rebuild” the building, reducing its size to “make it more manageable.”
“To stay on this site, though, requires us to ask the question, though, ‘What prevents this from happening again so we don’t invest a bunch of money that could end up in the same spot again,’” Mueller said.
Mueller said there are “mixed minds” on a timetable of when a decision has to be made, as “there are those who are feeling the need to move that forward quickly,” and others who don’t mind a longer timeframe.
“I’d like us to be able slow down and really sit with those questions and concerns with answers,” Mueller said.
Mueller said he and the congregation are grateful for support from the community and churches, which also includes volunteer work in the cleanup efforts.
The flood damage forced the congregation out of Sunday services. Members have been going to service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Janesville since the weekend of the storm. Mueller said it has been a great gift.
“It’s a sense of relief and gratitude, and the mutuality of it. They’re grateful that their space is being used and we’re grateful that we have a community that’s welcoming us in,” Mueller said.
Where water rushed in through the facility’s west-end entry, there is now plywood where the doors once were. Floors and walls are torn out, awaiting replacement.
During the night of the storm, The facility’s boiler room was completely underwater. In the gym water flowed up over the stage.
The childcare services based in the church’s first floor had been displaced. After weeks in limbo, the childcare is now running out of suites in 1 Parker Place in downtown Janesville.
The church has some electricity thanks to a generator. Mueller hopes to have temporary electricity hooked up next week.
