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JUNE 12, 1997 AUGUSTA FOCUS
12A
LAMAR BAPTIST CHURCH
Building a future in Christ
Multiracial cooperation results in new sanctuary
By Frederick Benjamin Sr.
AUGUSTA FOCUS Staff Writer
HEPHZIBAH
The members of Lamar-
Murphy Memorial Baptist
Church are about to go from rags
to riches — in a building sense.
On Sunday, they hope to wor
shipin abrand new sanctuary —
one that was raised up in some
ninedays. Thefeat isheing made
possible with the assistance of a
group of itinerant Fuilders
known as Carpenters for Christ.
Lamar pastor Sullivan Bush,
Jr. met the builders about a year
ago when they were raising a
similar sanctuary in Martinez.
“Shortly after, we set up a
meeting and they agreed to build
our sanctuary,” the Rev. Bush
said.
The church was required to
come up with the building plans,
prepare the foundation, and sup
ply the building materials.
“The foundation was ready
back in January,” the Rev. Bush
said. “God blessed us through
tithes and offerings. That’s how
we got the funds. We borrowed a
little bit from the bank, but
mostly, people gave. When it’s
finished, there will be very little
debt.”
On this day, the steeple is be
ing raised atop the sanctuary
frame. Members of the church
areeverywhere. Some are assist
ing with the building, others are
preparing food and drinks for
the laborers, and still others are
just there — lending themselves
to the moment. Pastor Bush said
he didn’t have to push to get the
people involved.
“They’re down here everyday.
When they get off from work,
they come here. They’re excited
about what’s going on,” the Rev.
Bush said.
While the construction was go
ing on, the old sanctuary served
as a warchouse for building ma
terial. Church members shared
the responsibility of safeguard
ing the materials with 24-hour
watches.
The difference between the old
and new sanctuaries are huge.
Inthe old sanctuary you could go
from one wall to its opposite in
about 12 steps.
When the congregation was
smaller, the smaller building was
adequate. The church grew from
some six members three years
ago to the current level of nearly
150 members. The Rev. Bush was
a former assistant pastor at the
Living Word Christian Center.
The new sanctuary will cover
7,000 square feet and be able to
seat 270. Two offices, a kitchen,
sound room and a nursery will
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P.O. Box 1454 (706) 738-0044 Request
Augusta, Georgia 30903 (706) 733-0044 Request
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AFTER A MORNING'’S LABOR, guest workers, congregation members and visitors gather for
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prayer. Photo by Frederick Benjamin
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Pastor Sullivan Bush Jr. (R) at
the construction site. Church
member Ronnell Williams
accompanies the Rev. Bush.
be included. A fellowship room
will house about 200 people.
The old sanctuary faces an un
certain future. The nearby
Albion Kaolin Company has of
fered the church some land so
that the structure (which is up
on blocks) can be moved and set
up as an historical attraction.
Another option is tearing the
building down so that the land
can be utilized.
Because of the Builders, the
church will realize its goal of a new
sanctuary twotothreeyearsahead
of schedule. It is expected that the
finished product will be appraised
at $289,000, the Rev. Bush said.
The Carpenters are from the
Eastern Hills Baptist Church in
Montgomery, Alabama.
Along with a new sanctuary, the
congregation and the Rev. Bush
have decided give the church a
new name as well. A brand new
sign near the entrancereads “City
of Refuge.”
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Jacqueline Wrights enjoys nice weather with her daughter.
“We had been thinking about
changing the name for a while,”
the Rev. Bush said. “A couple of
the members came up with the
name. We were ministering in a
nursing home and the members
each heard the name. The congre
gation liked it. There’s a meaning
behind the name. We want to reach
out and help people.”
ee S D eL e S S
B The Maranatha Christian Center, 400 Warren Rd., will have
a Sunday night off Broadway-type of production every Sunday in
June at 7 p.m. “I Have a Destiny” is a drama featuring familiar
musical hits and new releases. Admission is free.
B Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1223 Laney-Walker Blvd., will
hold a Father’s Day celebration featuring the Swanee Quintet and
guest choir on Sunday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 in
advance, $lO at the door. ¥
-
B Thankful Baptist Church, 302 Walker Street, will have ité
annual Vacation Bible School Monday through Friday, June 16 - 2@,
from 6- 8 p.m. Please make plans for you and your child to attend.
For information, call (706) 724-2187. Rev. Gregory A. Young is the
pastor. :
B The Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way, will host “The Wild
and Wonderful Good News Stampede” Vacation Bible School June 16
-20, from 9- 11:30 a.m. for children ages four and five and from 9a.m.
to 2 p.m. for first through sixth graders. For more information or to
sign up, please call (706) 736-8446. Rev. David Parks is pastor. .
B The Hickman Tabernacle A.M.E. Church, 412 Orange Streef,,
will hold their 21st Ushers Anniversary on Sunday, June 15, at 3 p.m.
New pastor Rev. Sharon McDaniel-Miller of Marietta, Ga. will bring
the message. :
B Living Word Christian Academy announces its preregistra
tion for the 1997 - 1998 academic school year. Applications are being
accepted for Pre-K4 through the fourth grade at the school. You may
also call the school at (706) 798-0123 for more information. g
@ Hill Baptist Church, 2165 Kings Way, will hold “The Wild and
Wonderful Good News Stampede” from June 16 - 20. The hours aré:
9-11:30 a.m. for children ages four and five; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
for first through sixth graders. For more information, call the church
at (706) 736-8446. ]
B Macedonia Baptist Church, 1828 Wrightsboro Rd., has free
clothing for those in need. The Clothes Closet hours of operation ar®
11 am. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information, pleasé;
contact Ms. Candy Katz at 737-6834 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday
and Saturday). g
8 The Friendly Church of God in Christ, 1115 Carrie St., will
be serving a weekly meal to anyone in the Laney-Walker Blvd. ared}
who is hungry. The church will serve meals every Wednesday frong,
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Elder Leroy James is pastor. 3
B Maranatha Christian Center,4oo Warren Rd., offersanßa.m
communion service, 9 and 10:30 a.m. early worship services, a 12:1
a.m. gospel “camp meeting” service, a 5 p.m. school of the Holy Spiri
and a 7 p.m. arts and drama in worship service. A nursery is alway
provided.
B Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1505 Sunset Ave., wil
obeserve its 57th anniversary, Sunday, June 15. Rev. Alex Pope an
the First Providence Baptist Church of North Augusta will be guests
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Bethel African Methodist
T Episcopal Church T
623 Crawford Avenue
Augusta, Georgia 30904
Rev. Larry W. Hudson, Sr. Pastor
Office: (706) 736-4060
Sunday Wednesday
9:30 Sunday School 7:00 Bible Study
11:00 WorsKip Service
We Invite You To
BAPTIST CHURCH
Dr. Sam Davis, pastor
1434 POPLAR STREET
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30901
- TELEPHONE: (706) 724-1086
Sunday Services at 7:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 7:30 p.m.
L e el
rayer Sorvios o 11100 Satcey hormiig oY
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All Services Are Bible-based and Holy Spirit-led