YOUNGSTOWN New Bethel Baptist Church to dedicate new sanctuary

The pastor hopes the facility is seen as part of a new spirit for the community.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- A church that uses its faith to improve the community will celebrate its own expansion on Sunday.
New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St., will dedicate its new $3.5 million sanctuary and other areas during a service at 5 p.m. A press conference is set for 2:30 p.m.
The Rev. Morris Lee, pastor of Third Baptist Church, will deliver the dedication. The theme is "The Promise Fulfilled and Purpose Revealed."
The 30,159-square-foot expansion includes almost a 1,000- seat sanctuary, administrative offices, classrooms, an elevator, choir room, narthex, library and a computer resource center. State-of-the-art multimedia systems have been installed throughout the building. Those can be expanded for satellite conferences and video productions.
The expansion is on the church's former parking lot. To expand, the church bought some of the rundown homes in the area for new parking.
The work was done by Cogun Industries of North Lima, which builds churches throughout the country.
A drive began in 1998 to raise funds for the expansion. Ground was broken for the project Sept. 22, 2002.
History of church
New Bethel was organized in 1924 and was at two locations before moving to Hillman Street on the South Side in 1964 under the director of the Rev. Lonnie K.A. Simon, the church's pastor emeritus.
The present pastor is his son, the Rev. Kenneth L. Simon, who says the church provides hope to the community from the empowering Gospels.
The church tries to meet the needs of individuals. As a result, it has about 40 ministries ranging from youths to senior citizens.
The church has about 1,300 members on its rolls and about 800 who regularly attend.
"We belief the church plays a vital role in community life," said the Rev. Mr. Simon.
The church must bring about a spiritual transformation in individuals.
"Without that, you still have the same community," Mr. Simon said.
New Bethel's project and its ministries on the South Side are part of a greater vision for the restoration of Youngstown, the pastor said.
During the construction, there was no crime or vandalism at New Bethel.
"People have respected the church facility," said the pastor. "I hope people see this as a new spirit."
As part of the church's growth, New Bethel will create a gated and landscaped courtyard between the new and old sanctuaries. It will serve as an area for prayer and spirituality. Memorials bricks will be sold to help pay for the work.
The church's expansion has two more phases: a youth facility that will be in the former sanctuary, and a banquet facility. No dates have been set.
Mr. Simon joked, "I don't want to build anything for a long time."
wilkinson@vindy.com