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Arlington Boulevard BAPTIST C H U R C H
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It should be understood that the first solid indication that the church was going to move a head with this project came on Wednesday, January 15, 2003, at 4:30 P.M. when the contractor’s bids were opened. The first bid was a great deal higher than anyone had expected and was totally out of the current financial reach of the church. However, as we continued to open the bids God’s hand in leading us became obvious. There were contractors who could accomplish the task that were within our God given ability to pay. A Called Church Conference was held on January 26, 2003, at 5:30 P.M. to vote on accepting the bid from Holloman Construction Company. The church voted in favor of the project and the bid and the project was underway. |
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On Saturday February 22, 2003, the first physical steps in the “Renovation Project” were begun with a Church Wide Work Day. Everything was removed from Church Office, Library, Parlor, and all the Sunday School Classrooms. During the next week the Pastor and his “better half” worked hard to remove the contents of his office. On the Saturday before Monday, March 3, 2003, the day the work was to begin, the Pastor, his wife, Mark Harris, and Sammy House removed the last vestige of the Pastor’s Office when they removed the fish tank and placed it in the Preschool area of the building. The fish in particular were pleased to see this portion of the project completed.
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On Monday, March 3, 2003, Holloman Construction Company started bright and early removing over forty years of loving and hard labor by the membership. This portion of the process included putting into physical form the plans that Michael Dunn of Dunn and Dalton Architects had offered the church through the Master Plan. Walls that had been constructed by the members in previous years we removed. The physical location of Sunday School Classes that had stood the test time were all gone and the building stood and empty shell. Yet, the best was yet to come! |
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The church moved back into the renovated areas on Saturday, July 12, 2003, with a second Church Wide Work Day. Sunday, July 13, 2003, was declared “Renovation Dedication Day” with a high attendance in Sunday School being the order of the day. The redesigned areas were a sight to behold for everyone. The church family now had a lovely Music Suite, Parlor, Church Office and Conference Room, and five totally redesigned Sunday School Rooms. The ladies also had a lovely – enlarged – bathroom. The men’s bathroom was a very nice addition as well. |
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The general membership of the church has begun to grow again after all the losses we have sustained due to the deaths and those who have moved their memberships for various reasons. As a church we have much to look forward to in the future. With high spirits and a positive outlook the opportunities for our church family are limited only by willingness to follow the Lord’s leadership. It is the prayer of this writer that the future stories of the accomplishments of the people known as Arlington Boulevard Baptist Church, Inc., will give even greater witness to the Lord’s leadership and direction in the church. |