CUMRU TWP., Pa. -

One of the most memorable stories of 2014 was a church collapse in Cumru Township.

The sanctuary of CrossWay Church on Chateau Drive collapsed around 11 a.m. on Sept. 25.

"Just boom. I did not know what had happened," said Dean Linsky, the church's senior pastor.

The ceiling buckled, causing irreparable damage. Crews then tore down the front-leaning wall. The pile of debris grew, but the staff's faith never altered.

"Wow! God really averted for us a catastrophe, but I think we look forward with a certain sense of hopefulness," said Linsky.

Now, nearly three months later, there is a concrete slab left. Crews cleared the pile of debris, winterized the building and started drawing up sketches of what a new sanctuary could look like.

In the meantime, the church has had to relocate to the Inn at Reading in Wyomissing for services, something pastors said has been an adjustment for the congregation and sometimes difficult for the children and volunteers.

"Our volunteers have been awesome. They have been helpful. They have been patient. They have been gracious, but they, too, are entering rooms and not always knowing where they are going to be, and that can make it difficult for them to serve well," said Jonathan Cosgrove, the church's youth pastor.

The pastors are now hoping to have the architectural drawings complete by the end of January, start construction and have a brand new sanctuary by the end of summer.

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Memorable story of 2014: Church collapse in Cumru

Wooster, OH (PRWEB) December 29, 2014

Building God's Way (BGW), a nationwide church architect and builder network that provides a broad range of solutions to Christian ministries, announced that it has formed an exclusive partnership with Weaver Commercial Contractor (WCC) in the state of Ohio.

This partnership combines the construction expertise and excellent reputation of WCC throughout Ohio with the broad network of services offered to ministry-based organizations through the BGW program, including church design, funding, for-profit integration, leadership development, A/V technology and more.

BGW partners with top church and school builders around the country that have both a heart for Christian ministry and a reputation and track record for constructing top quality buildings at affordable prices.

Dan Cook, Founder of BGW, commented on the new partnership, "WCC aligns very well with our philosophy and our mission to focus on Biblical stewardship, relationships and outreach as we construct buildings that honor the Lord. We are excited to partner with them to reach more churches and Christian schools in the state of Ohio."

WCC is a highly sought-after, full-service commercial construction firm that specializes in design-build, site evaluation and planning, new construction, remodels, additions and budget consulting. Located in Wooster, OH, the company built its first church in 1972, and church and Christian school construction has been a priority for the company ever since.

Ron Wenger, President of WCC, also commented on the new partnership, "We are extremely excited as well as humbled by our opportunity to partner with a firm like BGW. We view this as not only an opportunity to establish a professional relationship, but also as an opportunity to come alongside BGW and impact lives in an eternal way."

BGW and WCC will kick off their new partnership with a seminar event on April 23rd at Malone University in Canton, OH. Churches throughout the Canton - Akron area and beyond will be invited to attend this Momentum Summit event to hear presentations by award-winning church architect Don Mahoney and pastor Eric Bahme, author of the Book "The MBE (Mission-Based Entrepreneur) Revolution". The speakers will share innovative new strategies for church design and church construction as well as capital fundraising, for-profit integration, and A/V technology.

About Building Gods Way - BGW has become a recognized leader in ministry design and construction through its extensive experience in working with hundreds of churches, Christian schools and colleges across the U.S. BGW's trademark programs based on Biblical stewardship and ministry on the construction job site have set them apart from other church builders and includes an unparalleled network of services, including church design, church building, leadership development, capital fundraising, for-profit integration, A/V technology and more. Visit http://www.bgwservices.com for more information.

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Building God's Way Announces Exclusive Partnership with Weaver Commercial Contractor in the State of Ohio

Christ Church Construction Promo 4

By: Loren Zimmer

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Christ Church Construction Promo 4 - Video

The luxury apartment is in the Grade II* listed former St George's Church in the centre of Manchester Features bespoke spiral stair case and private lift, but retains the church's original arches and decorative windows

By Khaleda Rahman for MailOnline

Published: 13:33 EST, 28 December 2014 | Updated: 13:41 EST, 28 December 2014

Spanning nine floors, a luxury flat in the clock tower of a Grade II* listed former church has gone on sale for 1million.

The recently converted four-bedroom homeis in what used to be St George's Church in the centre of Manchester.

As well as a bespoke spiral stair case and private lift, the remarkable conversion also boasts a Jacuzzi-style tub, gym and sauna - but it also retains the church's original arches and decorative windows.

And even without including its manicured gardens, the apartment covers 2500 sq ft.

A luxury flat in the clock tower of a Grade II* listed former church has gone on sale for 1million. Pictured, the bespoke spiral staircase descending into a living area

A fitted kitchen on the second floor includes a built-in coffee machine, left, as well as a washer/dryer, dishwasher and stainless steel oven

Danielle Kelly the estate agent handling the sale at Bridgfords said: 'It's an incredible place in a very sought after area.

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Nine-floor flat in clock tower of former church goes on sale for 1million

Church Construction - MLA Elvis Stephenson Thanks CM KCR
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Church Construction - MLA Elvis Stephenson Thanks CM KCR - Video

VALRICO When St. Stephen Catholic Church opened in Valrico almost 30 years ago, the congregation met in a temporary building on Bell Shoals Road.

The church planned to build a larger sanctuary off Boyette Road.

But through the years, other things took priority.

First, St. Stephen built a school on its 40-acre Boyette property. Then, the church waited. For increased membership. For funding and support.

In 2010, St. Stephen started an official fundraising campaign, Building Our Future Together, asking parishioners to contribute.

A Building Committee formed.

The church posted updates online encouraging families to take ownership and become part of the process.

Today, on the Feast of St. Stephen, the church will break ground on their dream: a 30,726-square-foot sanctuary.

The building project, which includes the construction of a 19,183-square-foot Family Life Center, will cost $12 million and finish in May 2016.

To celebrate, St. Stephen will host a community groundbreaking ceremony and reception at 4 p.m. today. A celebration will also follow Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday.

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Valrico's St. Stephen to break ground on new church

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)

Mangaluru, Dec 26: Fr Charles Serrao, the provincial superior of the Carmelites of Karnataka-Goa province, will inaugurate the newly-built Infant Mary Church at Bajjodi in Mangaluru on January 2, 2015.

The holy Eucharist will be celebrated and the blessing of the new church will be done by Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza, the bishop of Mangaluru.

A felicitation function will be held after the holy mass followed by lunch.

Fr Joe Tauro, the superior of St Joseph's Monastery, Carmel hill, Fr Antony Serrao, parish priest of St Sebastian Church, Bendore and Fr Melvin D'Cunha, presently the priest in charge of Infant Mary Church will be present with clergymen and devotees during the inauguration.

A new parish in the diocese

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Mangaluru: Newly-built church at Bajjodi to be inaugurated on Jan 2

CM KCR sanctioned Rs 10 Crores for construction of Church in Hyderabad
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In this Dec. 1, 2014, a guard walks inside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. Since late 2009, President Raul Castro's government has been quietly returning some church property that was confiscated in the years after the Cuban revolution, including this chapel. The rest of the university property was not returned. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)(The Associated Press)

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, graffiti covers a wall next to an altar and debris inside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. The church is planning to restore the building to its former glory, along with more a dozen more churches, parish houses and other buildings, as part of a quiet reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Cuban government that has brought relations to a historic high point this Christmas. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)(The Associated Press)

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, debris decorated with crosses lays inside a chapel at the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. Since late 2009, President Raul Castro's government has been quietly returning some church property, including this chapel. The church and the Cuban government were in a state of open hostility in the years immediately after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power, a time when some anti-Castro military used churches to store weapons. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)(The Associated Press)

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, a damaged statue of Saint Tomas stands outside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. The church is planning to restore the building to its former glory, along with more a dozen more churches, parish houses and other buildings, as part of a quiet reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Cuban government that has brought relations to a historic high point this Christmas. Authorities have also given permission for the construction of the first two new churches in more than five decades. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)(The Associated Press)

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, electrical switches hang on a cross inside the chapel at the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. Since late 2009, President Raul Castro's government has been quietly returning some church property that was confiscated by the government, including this chapel. The church and the Cuban government were in a state of open hostility in the years immediately after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power, a time when some anti-Castro military used churches to store weapons. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)(The Associated Press)

HAVANA Golden rays of tropical sunlight slant through the caved-in roof of Saint Thomas de Villanueva chapel, illuminating tiles graced by the faces of saints. Vandals shattered the stained-glass windows and scrawled their names on the thick walls during decades of frigid relations between the Roman Catholic Church and Cuba's communist government.

But a new chain-link fence surrounds the building, protecting it for a future that once seemed unimaginable.

The church is planning to restore the building to its former glory, along with more a dozen more churches, parish houses and other buildings, as part of a quiet reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Cuban government that has brought relations to a historic high point this Christmas. Authorities have also given permission for the construction of the first two new churches in more than five decades.

After years of bridge-building behind closed doors, the Cuba-Vatican rapprochement burst into the headlines last week when the U.S. government credited Pope Francis with helping facilitate the secret reconciliation talks between the U.S. and Cuba. Francis wrote the leaders of both countries to invite them to resolve their differences.

Church officials and experts said the mediation and the renovation and construction of churches were essential parts of a fundamental shift in the dealings between the church and the communist state, which has been hostile toward religion for decades.

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Cuba's relations with Catholic Church hit a high point after decades of hostility

December 24, 2014, 4:50 PM Last updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2014, 4:54 PM

HAVANA Golden rays of tropical sunlight slant through the caved-in roof of Saint Thomas de Villanueva chapel, illuminating tiles graced by the faces of saints. Vandals shattered the stained-glass windows and scrawled their names on the thick walls during decades of frigid relations between the Roman Catholic Church and Cuba's communist government.

Ramon Espinosa/AP

In this Dec. 1, 2014, a guard walks inside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba. Since late 2009, President Raul Castro's government has been quietly returning some church property that was confiscated in the years after the Cuban revolution, including this chapel. The rest of the university property was not returned. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

But a new chain-link fence surrounds the building, protecting it for a future that once seemed unimaginable.

The church is planning to restore the building to its former glory, along with more a dozen more churches, parish houses and other buildings, as part of a quiet reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Cuban government that has brought relations to a historic high point this Christmas. Authorities have also given permission for the construction of the first two new churches in more than five decades.

After years of bridge-building behind closed doors, the Cuba-Vatican rapprochement burst into the headlines last week when the U.S. government credited Pope Francis with helping facilitate the secret reconciliation talks between the U.S. and Cuba. Francis wrote the leaders of both countries to invite them to resolve their differences.

Church officials and experts said the mediation and the renovation and construction of churches were essential parts of a fundamental shift in the dealings between the church and the communist state, which has been hostile toward religion for decades.

Developments "are heading in the same direction: a new chapter in the general and economic history of Cuba, and also church-state relations," said Enrique Lopez Oliva, a religious historian at the University of Havana.

The church and the Cuban government were in a state of open hostility in the years immediately after the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power, a time when some anti-Castro military used churches to store weapons.

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Cuba's relations with Catholic Church hit high point