Church holds groundbreaking ceremony for new sanctuary

EAST KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WVLT) -- Members at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Knoxville worship like those at many other churches in East Tennessee, but they do it in their fellowship hall instead of the church's sanctuary.

"It was a hard time, that December the 6th. You know, I've been a member since 1964. It was just something that we had to get over, but with the church family and everything we fought through this," said Warren Scott, a member of the church.

On Sunday, the church held a groundbreaking for its new sanctuary, which will be built where the old one stood. Seven Christian education classrooms will also be built.

"Modern, up-to-date, we'll be able to do radio, television. Anything that they're doing today,we'll be able to do," said Reverend Leroy Franklin.

Children participated in the groundbreaking too - dropping stones from the old church into a golden can.

"The can will be placed in the display and there will be some information about it. And when people ask what does it mean, then we'll be able to tell the story of how they helped to clear the ground and building for the future," said Franklin.

Reverend Franklin says the new sanctuary will be wider, offer more seating and have a taller cross. Members are excited for it, but say even so, it's not where they worship that counts.

"It doesn't matter to me where we have church at - as long as we get together and be together and praise the Lord," said Qiana Bennett, a church member.

Worship will continue in the fellowship hall until July 2013, when the new sanctuary is expected to open.

Reverend Franklin says construction will cost the church about $3.4 million, with insurance covering most of it.

Follow this link:
Church holds groundbreaking ceremony for new sanctuary