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St. Martin’s Dedicates New Church

One Sunday in 1989, Paul and Nancy Lunsford were making their usual trip from Pahrump “over the hump” to church in Las Vegas.  On this Sunday, however, after an accident that totaled their car, they decided that Pahrump needed an Episcopal Church.  They, along with friends Marion Hutchinson and Robert and Melanie Adams, began meeting in their home.  After a few years, the group had grown and plans were made to build a church.

The group received a grant from the United Thank Offering to purchase the present site on Irene Street.  They met in a pair of used mobile homes on the property until they could build a church.  They broke ground for the church in September, 1994, held the first service on December 4, 1994, and consecrated the building on March 12, 1995.  Our priest, the Rev. Julie Platson, was called to the priesthood and ordained in 2001.

After ten years of rising and falling membership, the attractiveness of Pahrump as a low-cost alternative to Las Vegas living (and, some would say, a better quality of life) increased the local population and membership at St. Martin’s in the Desert beyond the capacity of a 768 square foot building.

The population within the Pahrump Township has increased nearly ten-fold in the last decade (2007 population is estimated at 38,000) and the latest prediction is more than 50,000 by 2012.  According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Pahrump is now the seventh largest urban area in Nevada, and will soon pass Boulder City and Carson City.   St. Martin’s attendance has grown from a half-dozen or so on Sunday to consistently more than thirty.

About three years ago, members of the vestry and building committee met with the Standing Committee to discuss construction of a steel building that would provide a larger worship space, sacristy, vesting room, handicapped accessible bathrooms, and a small office.  Once a firm source of funding was established, including grants from the United Thank Offering and the Standing Committee, Presiding Bishop-elect Katharine Jefforts-Schori joined us for the groundbreaking on June 27, 2006.

Besides acting as general contractor for construction of the 2,400 square foot building, the congregation contributed sweat equity to the project.  Thirty-four people worked a total of 3,411 hours pounding nails, insulating, wiring, dry-walling, painting, tiling, and everything in between.  Even more people worked on rummage sales and bazaars, spaghetti dinners and pancake suppers, and all manner of fundraisers.

Finally the hard work was rewarded when the construction was nearly completed, and a temporary certificate of occupancy was received on March 10, 2008.  The first service was held on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008.  A final certificate of occupancy was received on March 28.

The pews in the first church building would not provide enough seating in the new building.  Fortunately, bequests and donations to the memorial fund were sufficient to purchase new chairs that will allow more flexibility in seating.  The old pews were recycled to a new, start-up church in Pahrump.

On hand for the first service were Deacon Jim Taylor, Priests Julie Platson and E.A Thompson, and Acolyte Keith Slaughter.  The round window behind the altar, a stained glass Sanctus, was crafted by Fr. Thompson.  Assisted by other members of the congregation, he is making stained glass inserts for the other eight windows.

One significant improvement with the new church building is the addition of six paved handicap parking spaces and paving three existing spaces.  The new building has two handicap-accessible bathrooms, and all entrances are accessible.

Another improvement is the formal entrance and courtyard that provide a space for outdoor activities when the weather permits.

The courtyard and the narthex are spaces that can be used to greet each other and visitors before the service,   Also, the narthex adds a much-needed space to post notices and a table to hold bulletins and other material for the service.

The second Sunday in the new church was Easter, and an opportunity to break out of Lent with full pomp and ceremony.  There was actually enough room to move about the sanctuary without tripping over the lilies.

The new church was consecrated on April 13, 2008, with the Rt. Rev. Dan Edwards presiding.  Members of the congregation and visitors gathered in the courtyard before entering the new church.  Joining the bishop were priests Julie Platson and E.A. Thompson, and acolytes Anthony and Maisie Cafeo.

During his homily, the bishop said that the consecration of St. Martin’s was his first.  Noting the New Testament lesson for the day (And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Acts 2:47), the bishop said that he was pleased to find a vital and growing congregation in Pahrump, and called for us to use our larger space to “rendezvous with God.”

Speaking for the Building Committee, Bob Green thanked the congregation for their patience and persistence in seeing the project through to a successful conclusion.  In particular, he recognized the foresight exercised by the wardens and members of the vestries over the years spent in planning and construction, and the support received from Bishop Katharine and the Standing Committee.

The congregation of St. Martin’s in the Desert extends an open invitation to the diocese to come by and visit with us in our new space.  The church is located at 631 West Irene Street, and Sunday services begin at 10:30am.  Join us in the parish hall afterwards for conversation and refreshments.

Written by Bob Green for the Nevada Diocesan Newsletter