Capacity challenges at True Hope Church have prompted a $5.7 million expansion and partial renovation project to add 19,000 square feet of assembly and worship space to the organization's building at 1316 N. Lincoln, in Spokane.

True Hope Church’s property sits two blocks north of the Numerica Veterans Arena at 720 W. Mallon in Spokane's Emerson-Garfield neighborhood. The site is accessible from West Sinto, north of the building.

Design plans call for the construction of a new two-story building addition with a 13,350-square-foot footprint to be used for assembly and worship, according to the State Environmental Policy Act checklist filed in July by True Hope Church. The total square footage being added as part of the project is 19,000 square feet.

Spokane-based Baker Construction & Development Inc. is the contractor on the project. Spokane-based ALSC Architects PS, is designing the renovation and expansion. Spokane-based engineering firms True Edge Engineering LLC and GLR Engineers PLLC will both contribute to the project.

Construction began in December and workers are currently installing utilities including new sewer pipes, says Justin Ocker, executive pastor of True Hope Church. The project is expected to be completed by January 2027.

The new worship space is designed to accommodate up to 1,120 people and will seat just over 900, according to permit information. The current church building’s capacity is about 2,200 people. 

The new space will have fixed seating on a second story balcony, in addition to removable seating on the first floor for events, Ocker says. The space will also include new lighting, screens, and a stage. The existing worship space, an auditorium, will be converted to a lobby area after the addition is completed.

The addition will bring the building's total square footage to 53,000, up from the building's current square footage of around 34,000, according to site plans.

True Hope Church purchased the building for $2.2 million in 2017, notes Ocker.

“We’ve basically tripled (in attendance) since 2022 or 2023,” Ocker says. “... we know when it's too full and people can't find a seat.” 

The church has been planning on expanding the building for at least two years, Ocker explains.

The land upon which the church building is located and two other adjacent parcels owned by True Hope Church have been aggregated into one parcel as part of the project, according to SEPA checklist information. The church owns about two acres of land at the site. 

Two existing houses directly north of the existing church building have been demolished ahead of construction, Ocker says.

Additionally, True Hope Church purchased a 5,000-square-foot property at 1306 N. Post Place, directly east of the existing church building, in February 2025 for around $1 million, Ocker says. The building at the site will serve as the church’s offices.

True Hope Church operates with five employees, according to the environmental checklist.