New sanctuary in works for historic church

DURANT Senior Pastor Joe Zaino of Pleasant Grove Assembly of God sees the long-awaited construction of a new sanctuary as the start of a new chapter for the 115-year-old church.

The building, being constructed with the help of volunteers, is expected to be completed in about a year at the church, 7051 Turkey Creek Road.

The old sanctuary was first built in 1899 as a pavilion with a roof and columns that could sit up to 400 people. People would come from across the country and stay for a week at a time on the churchs 39-acres, attending camp meetings and revivals featuring messages from prominent Assembly of God ministers of the day.

Over the years walls and additional rooms were added to the pavilion to form a sanctuary, but the building became unusable and was demolished in 2003.

The fellowship hall has housed the services for 12 years.

We fixed it up the best we could, Zaino said. We can get about 150 chairs in there but theyre (the congregation) ready to go into the new sanctuary.

Zaino said their congregation consists predominantly of senior citizens and retirees and raising the money for a new sanctuary, while a long held wish, has been difficult.

Theyre 100 percent supportive of everything, Zaino said. For many of these people, this has been their church for their whole lives.

The first phase of the sanctuary construction began in January when the church partnered with Mobilization and Placement Service (MAPS), a missions organization that builds churches, schools and youth centers for the Assembly of God denomination. The builders, all retired professional contractors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and engineers, work on a volunteer basis.

These guys are quite a blessing, Zaino said. These men will save us at least $300,000.

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New sanctuary in works for historic church