RELATIVES of the young doctor who 60 years ago donated land for the construction of the Catholic Church of Our Lady in Yeoval may play a part in its 40th anniversary celebration.

The Yeoval Catholic Church of Our Lady was opened almost 40 years ago on June 22 of 1974. Photo contributed

RELATIVES of the young doctor who 60 years ago donated land for the construction of the Catholic Church of Our Lady in Yeoval may play a part in its 40th anniversary celebration.

Margaret Vaughan, congregation member and one of the organisers of the June 22 event, has made contact with a descendant of the late Dr Michael Coolican and has her fingers crossed that the family will be able to send a representative or more.

The gift of land was the first but certainly not the last act of selflessness in the concerted bid to build the church, dedicated to the memory of "those who died in defence of freedom in two world wars".

The $65,000 church built by Walmac Constructions of Dubbo was paid for by the people of Yeoval and district.

"At the time of opening there was a debt of $4000," Mrs Vaughan said.

"This soon was paid with an appeal raising $7500 from members of all denominations."

About 800 people from across the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst turned out for the official opening of the church by its then bishop on June 22 of 1974.

They marvelled at the 200-seat and double-brick church with a modern semi-circle design, a major step up from the remodelled ex-army building that had served as Yeoval's Catholic school and church for 20 years.

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Yeoval church's 40th anniversary approaches

WATERLOO | Craft-Cochran is crossing the street and making way for a new church in the Greenbelt Centre business park.

The longtime screen print and embroidery service is planning to construct and relocate to a new 10,800-square-foot building directly north of its current location Titan Trail and Cyclone Drive.

The existing 15,000-square-foot building would then be sold to Candeo Church, a growing new congregation which has been holding Sunday services in a leased space at Central and Hoover middle schools.

Members of the Waterloo Planning, Programming and Zoning Commission on Tuesday endorsed site plan amendments for both the new Craft-Cochran building and the church's plan to add a parking lot south of the existing building. The City Council has the final say on those matters.

Commissioners also endorsed a special permit for the church, which will be considered at a Board of Adjustment meeting later this month.

Craft-Cochran in 2009 was one of the first companies to locate in Greenbelt Centre, a 120-acre business park along U.S. Highway 63 and Ridgeway Avenue north of the former Waterloo Greyhound Park. The company, founded in 1947, had been on Ansborough Avenue.

Company co-owner Steve Miles said the business actually is growing despite moving into a smaller building.

"We are going to downsize our building but increase production capabilities, and we'll be looking to hire people," Miles said. "We can retool our equipment and update some of what we've seen out there (at trade shows)."

Miles said contractors are already lined up to begin construction pending final city approval. The new facility could be ready to use within three months.

Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said Craft-Cochran will be asked to repay a $196,000 grant it received as part of an incentive package the City Council approved in 2008 for the project. Another development agreement then could be considered for the new building.

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Waterloo business move will clear way for new church

Regional News of Thursday, 8 May 2014

Source: Graphic Online

The Pentecost University College (PUC) has inaugurated a seven-storey building to serve as a nursing training school.

The building, whose construction commenced in May 2011, was put up with a loan of GH7.5 million from the bankers of the owners of the PUC, the Church of Pentecost.

Executive members of the council of the church joined the management of the university and some students to tour the facility during the inauguration ceremony.

The block has a conference facility with the capacity to seat 850 people, offices for the academic staff and the administrator, a library and two information technology (IT) laboratories.

It will also accommodate the radio station for the university, Pentvars Radio.

Expansion

The Estate and Development Manager of the PUC, Mr Felix Atsrim, said the university faced the challenge of expanding facilities to meet the growing demand soon after it was granted accreditation to run tertiary programmes.

The management of the university at the time had to grapple with issues of limited classrooms and, in some cases, no classrooms for lectures, he said.

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Pentecost University inaugurates GH7.5m block

SOMERS Almost 2 years after the Somers Congregational Church burned to the ground, the newly rebuilt church is ready to welcome the community with open arms.

Walking through the church on Thursday, the smell of fresh paint filled the completed sanctuary with its red and white pews that can accommodate 350 people 50 more than the previous sanctuary.

The church, located at 599 Main St., is basically complete with only some landscaping and minor paint touchups left to be done. The church and its congregation have come a long way since the devastating fire that broke out late on New Years Day 2012, destroying the meeting house that had been built in 1842. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Rev. Barry Cass, 62, said Thursday that the community has grown together since the church started to rebuild in September 2012.

I think we all made the best of a really lousy situation, Cass said. Were so proud of whats been accomplished.

On Saturday an open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. so the community can visit the rebuilt church.

A special worship service to dedicate the church will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 3 p.m. The public is invited to a service, which will feature music from the church choirs and a special message from Cass.

Cass estimated the total cost of rebuilding the church at $8 million, with $6.5 million coming from an insurance settlement. More than $1 million has been raised since the fire, with $250,000 still needed to cover all of the churchs rebuilding costs, he said.

What people have given has been amazing, Cass said, adding that donations will be used to cover final bills for the churchs construction.

The architecture for the project was designed by the Simsbury-based Clohessy, Harris, and Kaiser architectural firm, while the construction was completed by the North Haven-based Petra Construction, Cass said.

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It feels like home: Newly rebuilt Somers Congregational Church to welcome the community

Beyond Building We have a deep understanding that building a church building is really putting together more than just a building. We know that we are actually building the pillar that holds communities together. We understand that we are helping build communities.

20+ YearsFor over twenty years, we have built a great many church buildings. We have seen many challenges along the way, and acquired quite a few insights. We bring all of them to your projects, no matter how complex they may be.

Our ValuesEden Religious Facilities values the role churches andChristianschools play in our communities shaping and solving the real problems of real people in real communities. We value our role helping communities grow and flourish and aim to do so with honesty, integrity, and humility.

Our ExpertiseOur team is full of experts in construction, church building, and consulting. We, like you, are a part of realcommunitieswith real problems and see firsthand the impact a sound church community can make igniting us with even more passion for the work we do.

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Eden Religious Facilities - Home

As we continue renovations and new construction at our Church Campus, we are both excited and encouraged about the things the Lord is going to do. Continue to keep this project in your prayers as God allows us to see it through its different stages of completion.

Below are pictures from the construction process over the last few years. Take a look and let them encourage you. We also invite you to come back as the process continues and more pictures are posted.

Click on the links below to view our progress in pictures.Church Construction Pictures - 1 (Early Renovation)Church Construction Pictures - 2 (Early Renovation Pt. 2)Church Construction Pictures - 3 (Electrical, Painting, and Soundbooth)Church Construction Pictures - 4 (Road Work) Church Construction Pictures - 5 (Sheetrock Work, Baptism Tank, and Lights)Church Construction Pictures - 6 (Road Work Pt. 2) Church Construction Pictures -7 (Administration Building) Church Construction Pictures -8 (New Tile, Cabinets, Truss, and Carpet)Church Construction Pictures -9 (Parking Lot, Mural, and A/V Accents)Church Construction Pictures -10 (Finishing Touches and 1st Sunday)Church Construction Pictures -11 (Administration, Exterior, and Sanctuary Additions) Church Construction Pictures -12 (Education Wing, First Children's Outreach) Church Construction Pictures -13 (Education Wing, New Classrooms)*added 08-23-11*

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Church Construction - First Assembly-God

Woodbury, MN (PRWEB) May 08, 2014

Building God's Way (BGW), a nationwide church architect and builder network that provides a broad range of solutions to Christian ministries, will continue its Momentum Summit spring seminar series on May 13th in Woodbury, MN. The free seminar luncheon will take place at New Life Church, a newly-constructed facility that was completed in February. The event will feature presentations by authors, pastors and leading experts in the areas of church health, growth, facilities and funding.

Churches and other non-profits are facing ever-increasing financial challenges to sustaining their ministries. New economic realities and generational changes in charitable giving are threatening their very existence. The Momentum Summit will introduce new paradigms to transform the way ministry leaders think about how their facilities are used, how they reach the next generation and how they operate in a new economy.

Featured speakers for the event will include:

Dan Cook - Dan is a visionary architect, developer, builder and the founder of the Building God's Way (BGW) network of Kingdom Building Services. He has led BGW through the design of more than 600 ministry facilities and has pioneered a number of innovative programs that have revolutionized the way ministry facilities are designed and built. These programs were all founded on Biblical principles of stewardship, relationship and outreach.

Dan is an innovator with a heart for helping ministries adapt to cultural change, reach the next generation and sustain their ministries in a changing economic environment. Dan will share a unique master planning strategy that helps ministries think "out-of-the-box" when it comes to leveraging their land and facilities to generate revenue. This new approach provides ministries with a financially sustainable model for the 21st century.

Terry Bates - The Senior Pastor of OKC Faith Church in Oklahoma City and author of the book "Positioning Your Church", Terry has led OKC Faith and two other churches to incredible turnaround growth during his 30 years of ministry. He has coached and trained hundreds of church leaders around the world on the principles of his book and served as a trainer for Dr. John Maxwells "Million Leader Mandate," in which he was involved in training over 250,000 church leaders. Terry is also an expert capital campaign consultant and has worked with churches nationwide to successfully raise funds utilizing a revolutionary approach called Hearing from God.

Tobias Harrison - An audio/video expert with an extensive background in studio and live event production, Tobias has worked with national recording artists and popular performers across the United States. Being an operator in many churches over the years along with being a live production company owner, Tobias has the ability to bring worship experience to another level. Tobias will share a turn-key solution for the most high-tech and cost-effective worship technology package.

The event will be co-hosted by D.J. Kranz Co., a commercial construction company based in Plymouth, MN that has specialized in turn-key construction projects throughout the state since 1928. As the exclusive Building God's Way church builder for the state of Minnesota, D.J. Kranz Co. has a unique understanding of faith-based projects and a passion for helping congregations be the best stewards of God's resources. D.J. Kranz was the general contractor for the seminar host church, New Life Church, on it's new 23,000 SF addition and the remodel of its existing building. Owner and President of D.J. Kranz, Bruce Quam, will be available at the event to answer questions about church construction and renovation.

For more information or to register for the Momentum Summit, call 866-249-8484 or visit the BGW seminar web page.

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Building God's Way to Host Its Next Momentum Summit for Church Leaders on May 13 at New Life Church in Woodbury, MN

Home > News > kerala-news

Kolkata, May 6 : A new St Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church was consecrated by His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alancherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church at Behala area in Kolkata on Wednesday in the presence of His Grace Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Kolkata Diocese, and His Excellency Salvadore Lobo, Bishop of Baruipur and other dignitaries.

The Church, which has Jesus with open arms and other visually appealing Indian and local facets, has been designed by Church Art.

Located in Behala, the Syro-Malabar Church is decorated in indigenous style, with the images of Jesus and the Saints sporting Indian-style looks and clothing. The cynosure in the hall of worship is a mural of St Thomas examining the wounds of Jesus.

There is also a mural of St John baptizing Jesus. The tabernacle is decorated with sacramental symbols in the background. The main door has biblical symbols.

With the consecration of the Church the long-standing aspirations of the Syro-Malabar Catholics in Kolkata would be fulfilled. The Church would also carry out various social welfare activities besides spreading the message of peace, harmony and spiritual development, said His Beatitude Mar George Cardinal Alancherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, said.

The Syro-Malabar church dates back to the time of St Thomas the Apostle, one of the 16 disciples of Jesus, who died and was buried in Chennai. The Syro-Malabar members, who migrated to West Bengal from early 70s, would now be able to say the weekly Holy Mass as per the Syro-Malabar rite in Malayalam which was introduced in St Ignatius Church, Ekbalpur, in 1978.

The foundation stone for the Church was laid in April 2011 by Mar Joseph Perumthottam, Archbishop of Changanacherry, in the presence of His Grace Archbishop Lucas Sirkar, SDB, and the construction work began on September 2013 after obtaining necessary legal sanctions and clerances.

The Syro-Malabar Church members raised funds for the church building since the erection of the new parish through contribution and by hosting Kerala food festivals since 2005. The CMI congregation contributed the rest of the funds.

Through the art of inculturation we are trying to bring people of all religions together for better peace and harmony, said Subrata Ganguly of Church Art, who has done the interiors of the Church.

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Syro-Malabar Catholic Church to open in Kolkata

Purple and yellow petunias greeted the faithful ascending the steps of the Flowered Plain village church on Sunday, its graceful gray domes a shade darker than the overcast sky. Inside, men sat in the pews on the right, as is customary here, while women, some toting grandsons and granddaughters, occupied the left and center.

Video projectors prompted congregants to a hymn, "Tread Softly." They rose, filling the sanctuary with their voices. "Be silent, be silent! A whisper is heard.... Tread softly, tread softly! My Lord is here."

If quiet reserve was one message of the morning, unity was another. When it came time for the sermon, lay pastor Ye Sen did not refer directly to what had happened six days earlier just up the road in this eastern coastal city: After a tense, weeks-long standoff, government wrecking crews had torn down the massive Three Rivers, or Sanjiang, Protestant church.

Ye's Scripture of inspiration, though, from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, emphasized the need for Christians to stick together amid adversity. "Stand firm in one spirit," says one verse, "contending as one man for the faith of the Gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you."

The assembled flock, however, could not help but betray some unease. "You must be careful whom you talk to," cautioned two women from a Beijing-based religious publication in town to investigate the demolition. "There could be government spies among the people here."

A giant, red billboard stands at the highway turnoff for Pudong village, home to Three Rivers Church. Erected by the Yongjia County government, it declares in yellow characters, "Demolition With Fairness, Demolition With Righteousness, Illegal Structures Must Be Demolished." On Monday, more than a dozen policemen in white helmets guarded the road, allowing only residents to pass.

An officer on duty tersely explained: "There is something sensitive here." As for how long access would be restricted, he said, "A few months."

Sensitivities are likely to last longer. Five local bureaucrats have been singled out for punishment, charged with failing to stop construction of a church they knew was to be much larger than building permits allowed.

Authorities say the church is just one of many illegal structures ensnared in their "Rectify Three, Demolish One" campaign intended to halt rampant violation of building regulations; signs in Wenzhou tout the campaign as a move to "make space for development."

Many local Christians, though, think the campaign aims to crack down on the churches that have proliferated in Wenzhou since the 1980s. Many members of the city's business class have flocked to the religion and funded the construction of increasingly elaborate houses of worship, in the process earning the city the moniker "China's Jerusalem."

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China demolition of church in Wenzhou leaves Christians uneasy

By Rebecca LeFever

rlefever@ydr.com @ralefever on Twitter

In early 1913, a young seminarian named Paul Y. Livingston went door-to-door in Mount Wolf to reach out to the Lutheran and unchurched residents.

Because of his work, on July 26, 1914, St. John Evangelical Church started with 20 members.

As the decades passed, the membership would grow, the building would change, and the descendents of those 20 would become examples of the strong community bond created a century ago.

The church, at 23 N. Third St. in Mount Wolf, will be celebrating its anniversary with activities, including services used throughout the years and a website featuring historical facts about the church.

Members of the congregation will participate in a Cornerstone Opening Service at 10:45 a.m. May 18. Cornerstones, often a significant stone placed during the construction of the building, sometimes contain newspapers, coins or church artifacts. No one knows what's in the 1914 cornerstone, said Dawn Brenner, co-chair of the 100th anniversary celebration, but it is one of three to be opened this year.

At 9:30 a.m. June 8, all the children of the congregation will participate in a special service.

Churches in York County are not short on well-kept histories. Some instances about St. John that stand out are:

On May 23, 1915, the congregation decided to build a church. The Cornerstone Laying took place in November 1915. The mortgage was less than $7,000 and was paid in full four years later.

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St. John Lutheran Church in Mount Wolf to celebrate 100 years