SOUTHLAKE A Southlake mega-church opened the doors on its brand new mega-sized worship center this weekend.
Gateway Church already has two satellite campuses, but its new $86 million facility across Highway 114 from Southlake Town Center will dwarf all of them.
In fact, the previous building would fit inside the new one.
The 4,000 seats in the new Gateway Church sanctuary were filled when the worship band played Saturday night and again Sunday morning as the 18,000-member congregation moved into their new home.
The church said it had to get bigger to feel smaller.
Ministers say 206,000 square feet gives members a sense of community by reducing worship times from five services to three.
Ultimately you just run out of times on the weekends to be able to do that, explained church spokeswoman Deborah Mash. So having a larger facility gives us a better capacity.
On time and under budget, the children's wing boasts graphic arts, video games for teenagers, and brand new toys for the younger kids.
Adults enjoy wide open foyers, meeting rooms, and a faster drive in and out of the parking lot.
The church worked with the Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Southlake to avoid Sunday morning gridlock near Highway 114.
Given we have direct access to the highway service road, we will have very minimal impact on the surrounding community if any, said Doug Sluiter, who is in charge of campus development.
The old church, just seven years old, now sits empty waiting for a buyer. Listed at $10 million, the city says it's interested, but is assessing some other needs.
Gateway says more changes are on the way, with more buildings for a church that continues to grow.
Gateway will continue to operate its extension churches in Frisco and North Richland Hills. Pastors expect some of those members will drive to Southlake just to see the new building.
E-mail cnorton@wfaa.com
