Congregants of the Bridgewater Baptist Church joyously wave from the surveyed site for their new church building and children's ministry wing, in a hayfield near the junction of Routes 167 and 706 on Charles Road in Bridgewater Township.
BY PAT FARNELLI
Bridgewater Baptist Church members broke ground on their new church building Sunday afternoon, immediately after a cloudburst sent them rushing for cover to the pavilion on the property.
Churchgoers enjoyed desserts and coffee while waiting for the storm to pass, then trooped out to the middle of a large hay field to search for surveyor stakes marking the corners of the new sanctuary and childrens’ wing.
Once the markers were located, persons carrying shovels were dispatched to the stakes to give attendees an idea of the size of the planned buildings.
The congregation rejoiced at the spaciousness of the area: for years, the growing attendance had filled the church building in Montrose to overflowing.
Pastor Bob Kadlecik, holding his son Daniel, at the groundbreaking for Bridgewater Baptist Church's new building, along with Elias Owens, Bryce Beeman, Steve Galloway, and Willie Palmer. Willie Palmer has been a Bridgewater member for more than 65 years; Beeman is a new member, and Steve Galloway is with the Hallstead branch of the congregation. Along with the children, these individuals symbolize important groups with growth in the congregation. Worship leader Walter Kondratowski is in the back with a guitar.
Currently, there are three packed worship services at 8:30, 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the current church building. The present church basement has flooded regularly, and VBS and youth group programs are held at other locations.
That will change when the new building is completed, probably in 2013. The new church site is off Route 167 on Williams Road, not far from Route 706 in Bridgewater Township.
According to Pastor Bob Kadlecik, the construction will begin as soon as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driveway permits are received.
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