Celebration Church began more than three decades ago with a dozen people meeting in the pastor's home.

Today, the Columbia worship center boasts nearly 2,000 members and holds three services on Sunday in order to accommodate its parishioners, said Paul Haley, the church's director of operations. The church had considered moving to another site, but wants to stay in the Long Reach community and now is considering expanding to meet the growing demand.

"We feel this is a community where we have the most impact and want to stay here," Haley said. "We're committed to helping the Long Reach community."

Before it moves too far in the planning process, though, the church is asking the county Planning Board's advice in how to address parking in the area. The church wants to create new parking across the street from the current site on Foreland Garth near the Long Reach Village Center, but must get the county's permission to do so under the current zoning, said Kimberly Flowers, a deputy director for the county Department of Planning and Zoning.

The Planning Board will hear the issue at 7 p.m. July 8 at the county's temporary offices, at 8930 Stanford Blvd., in Columbia.

Celebration Church began in 1973 and moved into its current facility in 1985, Haley said. The church plans to build a new gymnasium to allow for more youth programs and expand its sanctuary.

With additional parking, the church could better accommodate the parishioners who already attend services and perhaps move from three services to two on Sundays, Haley said.

There is no timetable for construction, as the church must first figure out future parking before being able to move forward with the rest of its plans, he said.

Russell Swatek, who represents Long Reach on the Columbia Association Board of Directors, said he was unaware of the church's plans. He said he had hoped to see a dog park or something similar on the open land across from the church, and said he thought the parcel might be large enough to allow for parking and a small park.

Karen Hitcho, chair of the Long Reach Village Board, said the church presented its plans to the board last fall and it had a brief mention in a community newsletter. So far, there has not been any community objection to the plans, she said.

"They've been a very good neighbor," she said, adding the church holds a lot of good youth activities. "We've had a long relationship with them. They do a lot of good for our community."

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