By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – After tearing down their 107-year-old sanctuary due to termite and mold damage in October, the congregation of New Bethesda Baptist Church finally has a new home.

The church, which is located at 5778 Chelsea Road in Columbiana, will hold the dedication service of its brand new sanctuary March 17.

The new sanctuary is 6 feet longer and 6 feet wider than the previous structure, said member Lloyd Smith.

“We had to have one,” Smith said. “We have to have God’s house.”

With the new building opening, the church’s Sunday school wing has reopened for all ages, and the children’s program is growing, Pastor Matthew Goode said.

Nena Goode, Michael Goode’s wife, said church members have stopped by to try to push the dedication to an earlier date.

The dedication service for church members will begin at 10 a.m., and a worship and baptism service will follow at 11 a.m. Attendees will have lunch on the church grounds before another service at 1:30 p.m., which will feature singing and church history.

“It’s what the Lord wanted to have in this area, and we look forward to what he’s going to do through it,” Michael Goode said. “We’ve had people come into the church (who have) been watching the demolition and new construction just to see what’s going on. God sent them, and there is definitely a buzz about it.”