MARLBORO — Ground has been broken and construction of the new Roberts-ville Bible Church will soon begin.
The Rev. Ernest Brodie Jr., associate pastor (l-r), the Rev. Robert Biscoe, pastor, national representative, Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches, and the Rev. Ernest Brodie Sr., senior pastor of the Robertsville Bible Church, Marlboro, celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for a new church.
In his groundbreaking ceremony message on July 27, the Rev. Ernest Brodie Jr., associate pastor, related a portion of the Book of Ezra, Chapter 3.
"God’s blessing was upon the nation of Israel, enabling them to return from Babylonian captivity and providing for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem," he said. "God has not changed and his mighty hand is also upon the congregation of the Robertsville Bible Church."
For more than 100 years the congregation met in a small white church at the intersection of Tennent and Church roads in the Robertsville section of the community. About a year ago, the old church became unsound, could no longer be used and was demolished. The congregation bid farewell to the structure which had served as a spiritual home for many area residents since 1883.
"The original church building once stood in Englishtown until it was moved to Robertsville, where it became the Rob-ertsville Methodist Protestant Church," explained Bob Nivison, chairman of the building committee. "Eventually, the church changed its name to the Rob-ertsville Bible Church."
The new building will look similar in design to the old one, Nivison said.
"While it will be larger and have updated facilities, the structure will capture the image of the building it replaces," he said.
Church members were able to salvage many items from the old structure and those items will be incorporated into the new building.
"The stained-glass windows are fully restored and are ready to be placed into the new building," Nivison said. "With the addition of the pulpit and some of the woodwork from the original house of worship, the new building will [once again] become home."
During the groundbreaking ceremony, the Rev. Robert Biscoe, pastor, national representative, Fellowship of Fundamental Bible Churches, addressed the congregation and offered words of encouragement and prayer.
The Rev. Ernest Brodie Sr., senior pastor, received the honor of breaking ground first, followed by the associate pastor, deacons, George Van Ness and Chuck Green, and building committee members, Ronald Emmons, Guy Maltais, Dan Ferrand, Lester Lamberson, John Ludvick, Alfred Storer, Bob Taylor and Nivison.
Church members, some who are descendants of the people who started the church more than 100 years ago, friends and neighbors attended the event.
"The Robertsville Bible Church looks forward to many years of spreading the word of God in their new building," Nivison said.
Photos and updates on the construction of the new building can be found by logging on to http//:robertsvillebiblech.org.
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
Robertsville Bible Church
to rise again in Marlboro