MANSFIELD: Church begins new era

By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
   MANSFIELD — After several years in a tent, the Columbus Baptist Church congregation will finally have a solid roof over their heads this Sunday.
   The new, $4 million building, which is on the same campus as the old church on West Main Street in Columbus, was under construction for about 18 months. Set to open Sunday, it is also the first part of a two-phase expansion project, which aims to add another building onto the existing structure in the next five to eight years.
   The congregation outgrew its 130-year-old building about six years ago, according to the Rev. John Grove, who has been at the church for 28 years. The historic church could only hold about 150 people for each of the congregation’s two services, he said.
   To accommodate the larger congregation, which now has grown to about 500 people, they temporarily moved to a pressurized and air-conditioned tent that held about 225 people per service.
   ”It has served us well,” he said, “but it’s wearing out, and we’re now very happy to get under a solid roof.”
   He said he even expects the new, 16,000-square-foot building to fill up and hopes to add a third Sunday service. Each service at the new church will accommodate 400 people.
   ”It’s amazing to see each venue eventually fill up with new faces,” he said.
   Those members were the source of the project’s funds. The Rev. Grove said their pledges over the course of the three-year campaign and a few fundraisers for the church provided all the money for the construction.
   Having wrapped up last summer, the fundraising effort was not as affected by the recent economic downturn it might have if it ended later, he added.
   ”People are very faithful to give,” he explained. “Just like everywhere, we have a few people who are quite well off, but most are just average working people.”
   Soon, congregation members will have the chance to acquaint themselves with the new facility, which features a large multi-purpose room with a stage that can be converted into a recreation room for games such as basketball. Other amenities include a large children’s ministry room for kids in grades K-6, class and worship spaces and a nursery facility for infants and toddlers.
   The facility’s grand opening will take the form of two celebrations this Sunday, the first at 8:30 a.m. and the other at 11:30 a.m.
   At the services, the Rev. Grove said the church will acknowledge the officials and contractors who helped realize the project. He noted in particular the cooperation of Mayor Art Puglia, code official Jeffrey J. Jones and the planning and zoning boards.
   ”Mansfield Township has always been very supportive and helpful in our project, and we’re very grateful,” he said.
   In addition to the services for the congregations and their friends and families, there will be a “Kidz Fest Live” for the younger set, held concurrently with each of the adult services. Jim Lovenduski, a well-known area children’s minister and event organizer, will be the guest event leader.
   Refreshments will be available for all in the old building after the celebrations. The Rev. Grove said that structure will stay with the congregation as a location for offices and before- and after-school programs and will act as a small wedding chapel.
   The Rev. Grove said the second phase of the construction project will add a building, with a cost yet to be determined but perhaps between $3 and $4 million, to include more classrooms and a sanctuary space. The structure will connect with the building from the first phase of construction.