Church doesn't regret leaving home of 75 years.

Byline: Jeff Wright The Register-Guard

Even though it was their home for 75 years, the members of First Baptist Church are shedding few tears about leaving the building now known as The Shedd.

One look at their new digs, and it's easy to see why: The church now greets more than 2,000 adults and children every Sunday morning at its colossal new complex just off Coburg Road on the north edge of town.

The 114,000-square-foot, $14 million church has attracted so many new members that it's already suffering growing pains with standing-room-only services. The congregation is in the midst of a $4.9 million capital campaign that will lead to completion of a massive sanctuary that can accommodate up to 2,900 people at once.

"We've always been a growing church, but now it seems to be a new wave of people," said Associate Pastor Brett Gilchrist. "And what's encouraging to us is that a lot of these people are not coming from other churches. We think a lot are saying, `I haven't been to church in a long time and I think it's time that I go.' '

It was a tough decision when the congregation decided in 2001 to sell its landmark church to arts patrons Jim and Ginevra Ralph. But even with four worship services, members were having difficulty squeezing into the 50,000-square-foot structure, and also had to confront limited parking.

In an act of faith, the congregation decided to sell the church and build a new one - even though it meant a 16-month stay-over at Eugene Christian Fellowship on North Game Farm Road, with services held on Sunday afternoons.

The congregation moved into its new home last November and hasn't looked back.

"In a nutshell, people gave more money than they pledged, the building cost less than we expected, and we were able to move in sooner than we thought," Gilchrist said. "It's played out better than we dreamed."

The new church has four wings - for youth, children, administration and choir - with members currently meeting Sunday mornings in a "Great Hall" auditorium at the end of one wing that can accommodate 800. A giant roof already covers the unfinished sanctuary in the middle of the church.

The parking lot is close to full during two of the three Sunday services, and the church is petitioning the city for permission to expand its parking, Gilchrist said.

As for their former digs downtown, members may not naturally refer to it as The Shedd, but neither do most refer to it as their former church. "We always call it 868," said Gilchrist, shorthand for The Shedd's address of 868 High St.

Like many members, Gilchrist has been back to his old stomping grounds as a patron of the arts - and liked what he saw.

"I haven't heard any negative comments, really," he said. "Most people feel it's being put to good use and are proud of the new owners."

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday services: Traditional worship, 8:45 a.m.; contemporary worship, 10:05 a.m.; new contemporary worship, 11:25 a.m.

Where: 3550 Fox Meadow Road, just off Coburg Road

Information: 345-0341 or www.fbceugene.org