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Brainerd Hills Baptist Church will host a Dedication Day Sunday, July 12, to officially open its new wing.
The 16,196-square-foot addition holds offices, nursery space, Sunday school classrooms and student space.
“It’s met so many needs by thinking ahead,” said Dr. Richard Mason, senior pastor. “I needed all of this in one building.”
Brainerd Hills Baptist Church senior pastor Dr. Richard Mason, left, senior associate pastor Dr. John Barber and receptionist Sally Henderson utilize the church’s new back entrance.
The public is invited to an open house at 9:30 a.m., followed by a dedication service at 10:30 and a potluck lunch at noon.
Senior associate pastor Dr. John Barber acted as building liaison during the two-year project. He said conserving land and space were the biggest challenges.
“We knew this was the last build on this property possible,” Dr. Barber said. He said the project was completed at the loss of only 17 parking spaces.
The church leaders said they were both most excited about the new student floor, which gives students their own worship area with stage and sound equipment, a place to play video games and get a snack.
A new elevator at the rear parking lot lifts senior citizens to Sunday school classes with ease.
Brainerd Hills has grown steadily since Dr. Mason took his post in 1985. He has led the church through two earlier building campaigns — an activities center, kitchen and parlor in 1992 and a children’s wing in 1998.
“The church has developed the personality that you’re welcome here no matter who you are,” Dr. Mason said.
He said it’s been helpful that members of the congregation are willing to try new things, like make room for a contemporary worship service.
“Baptists don’t handle (change) well normally,” Dr. Mason said, “but they’ve been so flexible.”
Brainerd Hills was founded in 1946 as a mission church of Highland Park Baptist Church downtown.
Its first location was along East Brainerd Road where Ted F. Duggan & Sons stands now.
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