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Overcast Malverne’s Bridge Church opens children’s wing
Extensive renovations continue upstairs
Four hundred and fifty people visited the Bridge Church last week to celebrate the grand opening of a $250,000 restoration job of its new children’s wing.
The wing, which occupies the space formerly held by Special Treasures nursery school, is completely updated and modern, and reinforces the church’s bridge theme. “The hallway of our new wing is designed to make you feel like you’re standing under a bridge,” said Bridge Church Pastor Dan Quagliata. The hallway of the wing is decorated with bridge “trusses” which are named after well-known Manhattan streets. The wing is located in the basement of the building.
Quagliata said the church’s mission was to build a space that both adults and children would enjoy — so while moms and dads are going to the service upstairs, the children’s wing will offer a youth ministry program below.
“We have classrooms to engage children and we’re building a youth lounge for students to hang out and will feature air hockey, foosball and other games,” he said. The classrooms are divided by age: one for infants and toddlers, one for pre-K children, one for kindergarten through 3rd grade, one for 4th through 6th grade and one for teens. “Our hope is to start after school programs and ultimately build a play gym,” he added.
Meanwhile, other restoration efforts are also going on upstairs.
Currently, the church holds its services in the worship center, a large room facing Hempstead Avenue. But the church wishes to convert another room — a ballroom formerly used by the Malverne Jewish Center — as its new worship center. The room, however, is in a state of disrepair from years of neglect. The roof and interior walls need extensive work, which will be done before further decorating takes place. Quagliata said he expects the construction work to be completed by fall of this year. Once that work is done, the current worship center will become an all-purpose, community-type room.
In addition to its worship services and its youth ministry, the Bridge Church offers a variety of programs, including bible study classes, Zumba and a knitting/crocheting club. Visit its website, www.thebridgeli.com for more details.
