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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Orthodox Church raising money to build new home Congregation has outgrown Ashland facility Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 4:50 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 4:52 PM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 4:50 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 4:52 PM » Social News A decrepit old house near the Valley View freeway interchange just north of Ashland was intentionally burned down Thursday, and supporters of the first Orthodox Christian church in Southern Oregon will build a “Byzantine style” church on the site. The Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church had been meeting for 20 years at the Walsh Memorial Newman Center just above the Southern Oregon University campus, but the congregation exceeds 150 members and has outgrown its current facility, said Andreas Blom, priest of the church. They’ve been holding services in recent weeks at The Shoppes at Exit 24 in Phoenix and will continue to do so, he said, until they raise enough money to break ground on the church. It will be 45 feet high, with a spherical dome in the Orthodox style, not the Russian style with onion domes. The church owns seven acres in the 600 block of South Valley View Drive. The property is north of Interstate 5 and south of West Butler Lane, near the on-ramp heading north on I-5. Fire District 5 conducted a burn-to-learn exercise Thursday morning, clearing the land for the church. Architectural drawings of the 3,150-square-foot church are not yet available. Supporters hope to raise $1.5 million for the church, he said. Andreas said the building of the church here is historic, as there has never been a full-scale Orthodox church built in Southern Oregon, although Orthodox people have worshipped in the region for decades. “We’re hoping for functionality in the church, but also beauty,” he said, “and getting it done depends on the people who come alongside us to do it.” The church’s website, www.stgabrielashland.org , says a parishioner last year gave them an interest-free loan to buy the land and get started on the church. All county permits have been obtained, he added. County records show approval was granted at the staff level in 2014. The plans call for a community garden, orchard, cemetery, landscaping and fellowship hall. The church phone number is 541-690-8822. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted May. 8, 2015 at 4:50 PM Updated May 8, 2015 at 4:52 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501