New church facility a community effort

Four hundred strong gathered for service at Cedarhome Baptist’s new temporary sanctuary. Sunday marked another milestone in Cedarhome Baptist’s history with more than 400 people gathering in their new house of worship.

A dedication ceremony was held in the temporary sanctuary situated in the 21,564-square-foot multipurpose facility.

The new facility allows members to congregate as a whole rather than be split between the old sanctuary and additional wings. Recent services have been broadcast via video to overflow seating separate from the old sanctuary, said Youth Pastor Jason Chollar.

“Having everyone together for services is exciting,” he said.

Church member and historian Charlotte Faust said the $1.8 million project has been a community effort.

Funding was raised through the sale of bonds to church members and their relatives. Additional aid was provided by other churches in the area, said Mike Pearce, building committee chairman.

New Church of Stanwood donated $2,000 to the project.

“When the check arrived,” said Faust. “We thought it was delivered to our church by mistake.”

Stanwood Foursquare Church provided the materials and installed a fire loop system saving Cedarhome Baptist approximately $30,000.

“This project was not just about our church,” said Chollar. “It was about expanding the kingdom.”

Working under Daniel Cook and Associates’ Building God’s Way program with Ryan General Contractors, the facility was made possible through a giftin kind concept.

Essentially, local contractors and individuals donated or discounted their services to be part of the construction process, said Pearce.

“The people at Ryan went so far as to eliminate costs by allowing volunteers to complete projects such as the siding,

sidewalks and asphalt when funds were

n SEE CHURCH, PAGE A10 running low,” said Pearce.

The volunteers responded in droves.

“We never knew when it was going to happen,” he said. “But the volunteers really stepped up.”

While the structure is up and the temporary sanctuary is ready for services, final construction for the permanent sanctuary, Sunday school classrooms, nursery and recreation area is on hold until funds become available.

Pearce estimates it will take another $1 million to finish the entire project.

The old sanctuary will still be used for small weddings and funerals.

Services will continue in the temporary sanctuary at 8:30 and 11:30 a.m on Sundays. An open house is set for Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. with a concert at 1 p.m. featuring local group, Step of Faith.

Cedarhome Baptist will commemorate its 120th anniversary this year. The church moved to its current location in lower Cedarhome in 1922.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.