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Solid foundation: Church begins major construction project
Published Tuesday, August 11, 2009
For the future: Members of West End Baptist Church in Clanton stand in front of the future site of the church’s new facility.
West End Baptist Church has begun phase one of a three-phase building project that will include a new sanctuary, educational facility and offices.
The first phase is a two-story building with a nursery and children’s Sunday School rooms on the first floor, and classrooms for young adults on the second floor.
Also included in phase one is the pouring of a slab for a 1,100-seat sanctuary and the external structure of that building.
The new facility will be located at the corner of Second Avenue North and Martha Street, across the street from the existing church building.
“West End decided several years ago that we were running out of space,” said Andy Williams, chairman of deacons. “We began praying about that and felt God was leading us to expand our capacity.”
Williams added the children’s building should be complete by next year.
The internal construction of the sanctuary will not occur until phase two. The new sanctuary will house a pulpit and choir area, wrap-around balcony and a half dozen prayer rooms.
“We have a very active prayer ministry here at West End,” Minister of Music Eddie Lightsey said. “That’s very special to us.”
The educational building will lie adjacent to the sanctuary on the east side.
Then comes phase three, another two-story wing on the west side of the new sanctuary. This building will house additional adult Sunday School rooms plus administrative offices.
“This is a project we’re doing for the future,” West End Pastor Tony Smitherman said. “We think Chilton County is going to grow, and the church is the foundation of the community.”
As for the current sanctuary, it will most likely serve as a fellowship hall, gymnasium, and youth educational building.
No decision has been reached regarding the fate of the old sanctuary.
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Comments
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I prefer to call them auditoriums. There's nothing sanctified or sacred about a building or a room in a building.
Posted by angieid (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
umm i tend to agree with kw... if its a possible fire hazzard it should be removed.. before someone gets seriously hurt... or causes a major fire with lots of damage to other areas of the church.
Posted by davyhay (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was baptized for the second time in the old building. Brother Tony has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I do hate that the old part of the church is in such bad shape. The church where I was baptized as a teen--Highland--has already been destroyed. I would hate to see it go, but I am sure that will be the course of things as the church continues to grow.
By the way, what are they going to do now for parking?
Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"REK, I will respectfully disagree. If your line of thinking were agreeable, then there would be open bar parties at churches. Weddings would be held at the highschool auditoriums for space, and church break ins would not seem more hienous than store break ins. Bet you wouldn't walk in a church "auditorium" with a cold beer, playboy magazine, and a bag of coke like you would at home or a rock concert in an "auditorium".
You know, if more churches met in places like these they might have more of an impact for the kingdom. Simply put, the only "sanctuary" that exists in the context of the new covenant is in the heart of the believer. With the finished work of The Cross and indwelling of the Holy Spirit the need or even existence of sanctified, holy places where God came to meet with His people (see Old Testament Tabernacle/Temple, Holy of Holies, etc.) ceased to exist. God now dwells in the heart of every believer and the church consists only of these collected believers, not man-made buildings or temples.
Certainly I don't want to see an impromptu nightclub open in my church auditorium, but I don't want to see one open up in my home either and I certainly don't consider my home to be a sanctuary.
Posted by PastorJeff (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so very excited for Pastor Tony and the incredible people of West End Baptist church!!! You guys are doing an incredible work for the Kingdom and I can't wait to see what the added facilities enables you to accomplish! God is truly glorified by what you are doing!!!
Posted by Harley2009 (anonymous) on August 12, 2009 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brother Tony Smitherman( along with the great people that attend our church has come along ways. Its great to see this kind of growth over the last 16 years. I very proud to be apart of such a good organization. Praise the Lord.
Posted by dmims (Scott Mims) on August 12, 2009 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was told there would be additional parking in both the front and back of the new building. I am sure they will reserve much of the property for just parking. I was also told the sanctuary could be complete within three years, although it could take longer.
Posted by davyhay (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
See Graves, you and I have probably met at West End and just did not know it.
I was active there around 95-99. I used to play trumpet fairly often with a friend of mine who played violin.
Posted by chiltontransplant (anonymous) on August 13, 2009 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rek, I do agree with you to a large extent; but I also believe that the church should set apart a place (sanctuary) solely for the worship and praise of God.
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