By NICOLE LOGGINS/Staff Writer

VINCENT – After roughly three years of different stages of construction First Baptist Church Vincent has announced April 1 as sanctuary rededication day.

Pastor of FBC Vincent Darryl Wood said the newly expanded and renovated sanctuary is 95 percent finished.

“It will be substantially done by (April 1), but there could be some loose ends to tie up in other places in the building,” Wood said. Renovations are ongoing in multiple other areas of the church.

The new sanctuary has been expanded to provide additional seating for 30 attendees. As a result, the roofline on the backside of the church had to be adjusted to accommodate the expansion.

The sanctuary currently is awaiting a second coat of paint and the replacement of the church pews.

“I think it’ll be more comfortable because it will have new heating and air and the lighting will be better, so that should enhance our worship experience,” Wood said.

Wood said the extension was not part of the original master plan, but the church leadership is hoping to add some life to the building by utilizing the space. The rooms that were incorporated into the sanctuary weren’t in regular use prior to the expansion.

“The expansion allows the choir to have more room and provides more space on the stage,” he said.

The church added additional outdoor lighting in the courtyard area and acquired additional land from two adjacent properties for better visibility from Alabama 231.

“We have been acquiring adjacent properties as we could and clearing them,” Wood said. “We don’t anticipate any more land acquisition. We have the land we need for the long-term future.

“Our ultimate goal is to reflect Christ in everything we do, and we want our building to simply be a support mechanism to help us do that as a church,” Wood said.

Wood invited everyone to attend the service on April 1 at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served after. The church is located at 15 Waite Street in Vincent, for more information call 672-2512.