Church completes $3.3 million building expansion

SARASOTA — Church of the Palms in Sarasota has completed a $3.3 million, 14,000-square-foot expansion. 

The Presbyterian church's new Palm Center is a multiuse building with a cafe, lounge, classrooms, stage area and basketball and volleyball court. 

The building was designed by Carlson Studio Architecture and built by Jon F. Swift Construction. 

“It is in the DNA of Church of the Palms to minister to the needs of the larger Sarasota community whether it’s through our food pantry, child-care center, tutoring program or the Samaritan Counseling Center,” says Senior Pastor Stephen McConnell in a statement. “We envision this to be a hub for youth and families from our community wherein they can experience healthy relationships and life-giving activity." 

Church of the Palms was founded in 1957. It has over 1,800 members.