Mahtomedi – church goes green
Posted by swamy on March 7, 2008
Church looks to blend into nature
Environmentally friendly expansion project in harmony with nature
Oct 02, 2007 – 11:36:20 CDT.
MAHTOMEDI – When White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church leaders realized they needed more space for their growing congregation, they decided to let the land be the landmark rather than the building.
The philosophy is evident as soon as one drives into the church’s new parking lot, which is lined by mature Oaks and punctuated by several tall trees that jut up from specially built islands of soil.
Saving as many trees as possible was just one of the ways the church made its nearly completed project as environmentally friendly as possible.
The parking lot also features a state-of-the-art storm water management system that uses porous pavement to filter water.
The trees that did have to be cut down were processed and used to make wall paneling inside the new sanctuary’s lobby. Leftover scraps are being made into furniture.
Instead of building a flashy new building, planners opted for a rustic look. Literally.
A special type of steel alloy was used for the outside walls, which will develop a deep reddish-brown coat of rust designed to blend into the woods behind the church.
“We love the site,” said Klay Eckles, a member of the congregation who helped plan the project. “Being in harmony with nature was one of our primary principals.”
Everything from storm water management to alternative energy was considered. Aesthetics were considered, too.
Services in the new building are held in front of a large window that offers a view of the woods and a creek that was built in conjunction with the expansion.
Eckles said church leaders’ green ambitions were embraced by the Rice Creek Watershed District and the city of Mahtomedi.
The watershed district provided funding for the parking lot system, which is the biggest of its kind in Minnesota and will serve as an example of the technology for developers thinking about using it in future projects.
Porous pavements have been used extensively in other parts of the country but not in Minnesota because of questions about how it responds to freeze-thaw cycles.
The church is hoping its system proves the technology works well and builders begin using it. The watershed district was eager to help the cause, Eckles said.
Filtering rain water where it lands is considered better for the environment than the traditional method of piping it into ponds because fewer pollutants get into the water.
Church members are happy the expanded parking lot is better for the environment but are also eager for its main purpose: Allowing more people to come to the church and participate in services and events.
Eckles said the church is an inclusive faith community where people from all sorts of religious backgrounds gather.
Unitarian Universalists value the interconnectedness of all existence and support service to the community, according to the church’s Web site.
People with all sorts of ideas and beliefs are welcome.
The church will dedicate its new building during an Oct. 14 ceremony. Call 651-426-2369 or visit www.whitebearunitarian.org for more information.
Mike Morgan can be reached at 651-407-1218 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com
