By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – The New Bethesda Baptist Church congregation has been meeting in the church’s fellowship hall for the past three years.

The 107-year-old sanctuary was falling apart from termite and mold damage, so church leadership has decided to tear down the structure and start fresh.

“It’s sad, but exciting at the same time,” Pastor Michael Goode said. “Like in the Bible, we’re building a new temple. It’s exciting to see what the Lord has in the new building.”

Goode, who has served as pastor for more than three years, said the Columbiana church saved the sanctuary’s stained glass and church members saved pews. The building’s main beams will be reserved in commemoration of the church’s history.

“The Lord needs his house and needs his sanctuary. We need a place for his people to worship,” Goode said.

The construction on the new sanctuary will take only three months, Goode said, because the infrastructure is already in place.

The new building will cost $150,000, and the about 70-member church has the majority of the money raised.

“As long as it’s been here, this church has been a lighthouse in the community,” Goode said.

New Bethesda Baptist Church is located off Shelby County 47 at 5778 Chelsea Road in Columbiana. Sunday school begins at 9:50 a.m., and Sunday morning services at 11 a.m. Sunday night services start at 5 p.m., and Wednesday night services are held at 7 p.m.