As reported to the News-Item
MOUNT CARMEL - The congregation and staff of the New Life Church of God will celebrate the church's 128th anniversary on Sunday.
The church originated in 1883 at the east side of town, on North Chestnut Street, before relocating to its present location at 129 W. Second St. in 1897. From 1923 to 1925, an extension was added to the building to facilitate the church's rapid growth.
During the Second Street construction, and later extension addition, extreme care was given to architecturally design and detailed craftsmanship, making the church one of the most beautiful centers for prayer and worship in the area.
The church also has a large, fully equipped cooking and dining fellowship hall in the basement, which also houses classrooms/offices, restrooms and an elegant raised stage for formal presentation and entertainment.
But by far, the most outstanding quality of the New Life Church of God, its leaders believe, has always been the spirit of its intensely dedicated and hard-working staff.
The church's history is one of ardent and continuous service to the community. During World War II, the church basement was a designated safe air raid shelter, complete with well-planned periodic air raid practice drills.
The Girl Scouts and other local, national and international organizations have been and are currently using the basement and church facility rooms for their meetings and functions.
The church converted its spacious church parsonage, which was built in 1908, into the New Life Community Youth Center in September 2005. The New Life Community Youth Center began and served as a church ministry for several years, and recently became established as a separate community service.
The mission of the youth center has always been to provide community youth with a safe, clean and respectful environment for recreation and educational support. It is a drug, alcohol and smoke-free positive alternative away from negative situations and temptations. The youth center is staffed by quality, reliable, hard-working volunteers of integrity.
The anniversary celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary with interim pastor, the Rev. John D. Ashbaugh, leading. Senior pastor the Rev. Mark Ginter, pastor of Oak Hill Church of God, is guest speaker. Ginter is an experienced and educated pastor.
Also, the church's "Praising Trio," consisting of Ashley Donn (music director), Barbara Donn (youth center director) and the Rev. Rodger Young (maintenance supervisor), will provide songs of praise and worship.
Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to a home-cooked meal in the dining hall. Church council president Robert Donn and his staff, the congregation and friends welcome the public.