Restoration Parish Acquires Baptist Church Building

November 26, 2023225 views0

Restoration Parish Acquires Baptist Church Building

2023-11-26T10:32:30+01:00

By Church News

The sale of Brandon’s historic First Baptist Church building to the Redeemed Christian Church of God Restoration Parish has been finalised.Restoration Parish bought the old building at 1037 Lorne Ave., constructed in 1904, from a numbered company, 7577509 Manitoba Limited, for $500,000, pastor-in-charge Festus Eretan told the Sun.Founded in 1952 in Nigeria, RCCG is a global evangelical Pentecostal Christian denomination with a presence in 197 countries.“It’s truly a feeling of immense joy and excitement for us. Canada, particularly Brandon, has a rich history steeped in Christianity. When you delve into the annals of Brandon’s past, you’ll notice the deep-rooted presence and heritage of Christianity,” Pastor Eretan said.“The building stood vacant, unutilized by any specific group, until it caught the attention of those seeking to maintain its purpose as a sanctuary for Christian activities. Recognizing its significance and aligning with our ongoing activities, we decided to acquire it.”Eretan said the goal of the church remains true to the original purpose of the building — to serve as a beacon of blessings for the entire Brandon community.Established in June 2013 in Brandon, he said, Restoration Parish has traversed various locations to conduct its services before moving to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church on 403 13th St., where it held afternoon services.“From St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, we paid $200,000 to the former owner (of the First Baptist Church property), as a down payment for the building to access the Fellowship Hall side of the structure, which we have been using for fellowship since Oct. 1, 2021,” he said. “We agreed to pay the balance of $300,000 in two years, which we made last October.”The hope now is to start holding church services in the old building around Christmas. The local congregation numbers about 300 people.On the structural transformation of the building, he explained that the plan involves a phased renovation, adding that Restoration Parish is engaging several experts on heating systems and carpentry, as well as other areas.“We intend to preserve the building’s historical architecture while effecting minor modifications, particularly in the altar area, to enhance its functionality and to meet our standard,” Pastor Eretan said. “The church plans to retain the gallery while repurposing the basement to accommodate offices, a Sunday school, and a junior church.“Pending favourable conditions, we aim to ensure swift yet meticulous renovations to restore the building’s functionality. Most of the renovation is not major, as some of the works are things that can be done simultaneously.”Emphasizing the multicultural essence of the church, Pastor Eretan said the place of worship will be a catalyst for spiritual growth and community development. “Our congregation represents diverse backgrounds that transcend nationality. We celebrate our Canadian identity while embracing cultural diversity and ethnicity,” he said.Navigating hurdles in acquiring a permanent abode, Pastor Eretan shared the challenges faced in obtaining a mortgage from financial institutions. “Multiple factors hindered our mortgage prospects, leading us to forge a vendor buyback arrangement with the former owners,” he explained. This arrangement, he said, enabled the congregation to utilize the premises for two years before finalizing the purchase.Operating in downtown Brandon has meant dealing with problems like crime, he acknowledged.“Upon our arrival, we encountered challenges, including property break-ins,” he said. “Nevertheless, we firmly believe that faith is a catalyst for development. The church symbolizes light, fostering growth and revitalisation in downtown Brandon.”Government can also play a role, he said.“We seek collaborative efforts with the government to create an environment supportive of faith-based institutions’ growth.”ALSO READ: The Fountain of Life Church Set to Hold Its Annual Thanksgiving