Grace Christian Fellowship is getting its “home base” with the construction of the congregation’s first church in the community.
Church officials were joined by building officials and politicians at the official ground breaking ceremony on Aug. 22 for the 9,000 square foot, $1.3-million church at the intersection of Beatty Line and Sideroad 18.
Pastor Tony Albano said the church has held its meetings in rented space in different buildings in the community since it was founded in 1995.
“We started with a handful of families who wanted to plant a church in this area,” the pastor said. Over the years the church has held services in the homes of its members and rented space in the basement of the United Church, Bethel Baptist Church and John Black Public School.
“We feel like nomads,” pastor Albano quipped at the ceremony.
Associate pastor Michael Albano said the congregation is “excited for what the future holds for us as a church.”
According to the associate pastor, the church has been dedicated to working with those “less fortunate” in the community. He said congregation members are not just “people of faith,” but also “people of action,” hosting clothing drives for the less fortunate, opening a drop-in centre for “displaced” people and opening a not-for- profit repair shop for cars and appliances for people unable to pay for repairs.
“As we break ground this is what this building is for,” he added. “We are committed to Centre Wellington and excited for this to become a home base for us.”
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj congratulated those affiliated with the church.
“I’m delighted to be here and welcome all of you to this special moment,” the mayor said at the ceremony.
Wellington Halton-Hills MPP Ted Arnott also congratulated the congregation.
“Congratulations and best wishes for God’s greatest blessing,” he said of work to build the new church.
Wellington Halton-Hills MP Michael Chong said the construction of the church shows how Canada “is a place where people can come together in faith.”
The MP noted the religious freedom enjoyed today is the result of war veterans who fought to keep freedom.
