JONESBORO – A dream of growing is becoming a reality for churchgoers at Jonesboro Union Church.

A 36-by-48-foot activity building that will provide space for Sunday school classes and a kitchen for church suppers is being added to the building.

Because the church is considered one of Maine’s historic buildings, adding to the 100-year-old church was not an option. Instead, the activity center is being constructed about 50 feet away from the church, but still on church property.

Increased membership and attendance, in addition to a growing Sunday school class, were the driving forces behind the project.

“The church members felt that it would greatly enhance [the congregation’s] benefit as a community service by developing a structure that could serve for other needed activities,” trustee John Bagley said. In addition to church functions, the facility will provide space for meetings, wedding receptions and other gatherings.

The total cost of the new building is expected to be about $75,000, said Vincent Dowling, building committee chairman and church treasurer. The cost could have been even greater without the donation of some labor and materials.

The building’s foundation was completed in July by Pearly Gray Co. for $10,000.

The next phase, which includes the framework, siding and windows, is expected to cost more than $45,000 and will be done by Chandler River Cedar Log Homes Inc. of Jonesboro. Then the building will need to be finished on the inside and furnished. Some landscape work also will need to be done.

“How far we’ll be able to go on the completion of the inside depends on how the donations go,” Dowling said.

Planners are relying heavily on donations to complete the project.