Jehovah’s Witnesses church in Idaho Falls expands

A church in Idaho Falls is expanding after almost 40 years.

The building for the Idaho Falls English and Spanish congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was built in 1977, and it is expanding this fall.

The old building could hold 160 people. After the remodel, there will be room for more than 230.

Church volunteers from around Idaho started work on the landscaping and the parking lot in August.

This week, more than 400 tradesmen and helpers are in town to help reach the finish line this Sunday.

A long-time member said it is great to have a new, bigger church, but it couldn’t have happened without the volunteers.

“It’s critical,” said project coordinator Russell Goyen. “We could not possible accomplish our work without that willing volunteer spirit that we have displayed on this project.”

Volunteers also helped ensure safety on the site, and the crews were fed three meals a day right there while they were working.