St. Lucia Festival of Lights

First Free Church, located on the corner of Ashland and Berwyn Avenues, is hosting a neighborhood block party on September 13 from 1-9 pm to celebrate the opening of the church's new three-story multipurpose building at 5255 N Ashland Avenue.

The west half of Berwyn Ave, between Clark St and Ashland Ave, will be blocked off for the celebration and will feature a variety of activities for kids, adults, and families.  From 1-4 pm the fun will include a bouncing house, music, food, and carnival games. Beginning at 5 pm WGN weathercaster and reporter Paul Konrad will host the evening's events on the street stage, featuring a salsa band and dance lessons. Inside the new building at 6 pm a coffeehouse will offer live music from local artists including jazz guitarist John Moulder. The 10,000 square foot facility will also be host to an art gallery, a bi-lingual interactive art experience, movies, and a green urban living demonstration.
 
"We invite all of our neighbors to stop by or stay all day for entertainment, food and fun," said Bill Shereos, church pastor since 1999. "This is a celebration we want to share with our community."

The new construction, which has connectivity to existing church buildings cost $3.6 million and boasts an inviting three-story atrium with clerestory windows, flexible meeting spaces and is ADA accessible. In late September the multipurpose building will open its doors on Wednesday evenings to church and community members with free classes for children and adults. The class topics will range from Questions About God to Green Living.