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Mile Hi Church gets 60 feet higher – in one day

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Contributed by: Allie Larsen on 6/28/2007

Landmark church builds largest monolithic dome structure in Denver

A milestone event took place on the grounds of Mile Hi Church in Lakewood on June 27 as the dome structure of the new 44,000 square foot sanctuary was successfully inflated. Standing 60 feet tall, the new sanctuary will support the rapidly growing congregation of 5,500 members, growing over 24 percent in just three years. Initially seating 1,500, it will be the third and largest structure on the Mile Hi Church campus and the biggest dome building in the Denver metro region. This unique project was designed by Denver International Airport's architect, Fentress Bradburn Architects.

Approximately 500 people were in attendance to witness the extraordinary inflation process which started with a weather resistant airform being attached to an existing "ring beam" footing. The airform, an inflatable fabric structure made of PVC coated nylon and polyester fabrics, was then inflated with fans to create the final building shape. Under just two hours, the dome formation was completed with the end result being 232 feet in diameter. The next part of the process is spraying the interior with polyurethane foam, attaching the steel rebar, and then applying a concrete mixture over the steel. The original fabric remains a key part of the structure as the roof membrane.

The Mile Hi campus expansion is a "green" project. The monolithic dome sanctuary is designed to be environmentally-friendly and energy efficient, taking fewer natural resources to operate. In addition, the church has planted more trees than were removed and recycled asphalt from former parking lots as filler for the construction site. The existing sanctuary will be renovated to add needed classroom and meeting space.

Making it a memorable occasion, an all-day celebration was held. Launching the day was a morning service followed by the 7 a.m., the "Pump It Up" ceremony to kick off the inflation process. The full inflation was commemorated with a late-afternoon cook-out, entertainment and an evening observance that featured a congratulatory speech from Lakewood councilman Ed Peterson.

Senior Minister Dr. Roger W. Teel commented, "The full impact of the church's future didn't hit (me) until the dome started to inflate. To see it in place takes one to another level of awe and joy."

Mile Hi is one of the fastest growing congregations teaching the Science of Mind and Spirit, a spiritual philosophy for practical everyday use and is affiliated with United Centers for Spiritual Living. The church regularly provides the community with access to such internationally-renowned speakers as Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, Jack Canfield and Marianne Williamson, all of whom consistently draw sold-out crowds. More information can be found on the church's Web site at www.milehichurch.org .

Allie Larsen is a writer with Mile Hi Church.

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