Neither rain nor cold stopped Hinesville First United Methodist church members from celebrating Palm Sunday with a groundbreaking. After 74 years of fellowshipping in the current social hall, the church is expanding to provide more services to the community.
“We’ve been reduced to being a church that’s only open on Sunday and we will have the infrastructure to do what we were called to do with outreach, supporting communities and deepening ministry within the church,” Pastor Dale Thornton said.
Before the ceremonial turning of the soil, several church members were recognized for their roles in getting the project started. One special guest was Charles Richardson, former trustees chairman, who helped start the project several years ago.
The new hall will have dining space for 300, making it one of the largest meeting spaces in the community. It will also be the center of operations for the church’s homeless missions.
Thornton said there are plans for it to be used to host community events, provide food and clothing to the homeless and as a gathering space for church members.
The fellowship hall will be open in about nine months, just in time for the new year. This is a reality that the Coastal District Superintendent Dr. Wayne Moseley said he is happy to see finally happen.
“We leave a legacy as we build this building in the community,” Moseley said. “I commend you for the hard work and sacrifices to reach this stage. I celebrate with you. This is a marvelous things and will be remembered as part of the history of this church.”