St. Matthew's Episcopal Church is helping Antioch raise $600,000 to put a second-story addition on the Baptist church and renovate a neighboring home Antioch owns, according to a report in the Journal-News newspaper's website, Lower Hudson Online.

Members of both churches have been collecting money from the community for the project -- aimed at providing the Baptist church with another 5,000 square feet that will include classrooms, a nursery and a youth center.

"It's overwhelming," Velma Lewis, chairwoman of Antioch's development committee, told the newspaper. "I cannot think of any previous experience where someone has come forward to make such an offer with no expectation of getting something back."

Antioch officials said they've long struggled with the tight quarters at their building, where they lack dedicated classrooms and members share a busy social hall.

Antioch, which has already raised about half the money for the project, approached St. Matthew's in the winter, seeking a grant from the Episcopal church's Bedell Fund for church renovation projects.

In addition to providing a $50,000 grant, St. Matthew's officials also decided to pitch in with Antioch's fundraising efforts, said Robert Cummings, a senior warden at St. Matthew's.
 
Ellen Conrad, a St. Matthew's member, told the newspaper that Antioch is recognized as a spiritual cornerstone that is important to the community.

"This was something that was very important for us to be involved with, a program that would help strengthen their presence in the community," said Conrad, a co-chair of the fundraising drive.