Portland Press Herald: Plans for one of the largest churches in New England have been put on hold, a decision that also affects the biggest proposed retail development in Biddeford, Maine. Until recently, the New Life Christian Fellowship there planned to build a new 4,375-seat megachurch on property it owns nearby. The 480,000-square-foot Biddeford Crossing shopping center was to be built on land that includes the site of New Life's current 500-seat church.
However, economic realities have forced the church to scale back the ambitious plans it unveiled in 2002. Plans at that time showed a 120,000-square-foot church and school building, another 200-seat prayer building, playing fields and at least 1,500 parking spaces.
But costs for the new church's construction rose by $2 million in just six months, Pastor Tom Gallant said. New Life is now considering an expansion that would add about 700 seats to its current location.
