MILWAUKEE -- The United States is witnessing a religion-related building boom, according to The Associated Press. Nationally, religious building construction in May totaled $8.8 billion, up from $7.6 billion in 2000, according to government data.
Southeastern Wisconsin is typical of the trend, according to the AP. Tens of millions of dollars are being spent on church construction, expansions and remodeling in the Milwaukee area alone.
While the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused a temporary spike in church attendance, Milwaukee pastors said other issues also are at play. Baby boomers, for instance, are finding or returning to religion, said the Rev. James Huebner.
"Many are looking for a sense of permanence that comes with a relationship with God," said Huebner, pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in downtown Milwaukee.
Construction on Grace Evangelical's $3 million parish center is set to begin in spring 2003. St. Jerome Catholic Church in Oconomowoc, Wis., is building a $10 million parish complex, and several other congregations have similar projects in the works.
Many of the area's church expansions were planned several years ago when church members, flush from stock market gains, donated to building funds, according to the AP.
