Pastor Jeff Davenport gives a message to the congregation.

The First Baptist Church of Hurricane is expanding — new addition will reach out to visitors and address needs of the disabled.

On Sunday, May 4, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new welcome center and ADA mobility upgrade which will be added to the church over the following months. After opening remarks by Pastor Jeff Davenport, a prayer of dedication by Pastor Jerry Losh, and comments by Mayor Scott Edwards, members of the church administration and congregation came forward to dig in the dirt and participate in the ceremonial breaking of ground. To preserve the event for historical memory, members of the congregation posed for a massive group photograph, and drone footage was taken throughout the ceremony.

Like many churches, First Baptist Church has expanded over the years. Since the church is located on a gently rolling hill, expansions have followed the lay of the land, resulting in a large, sprawling facility. Unfortunately, not all of the expansions were constructed with wheelchair accessibility in mind, resulting in wheelchair users having to take a circuitous route through the church, or unable to access certain areas altogether. The new ADA mobility upgrade is meant to address these issues and make First Baptist accessible to all.

In addition to mobility upgrades throughout the church, a new welcome center will be built onto the rear of the building. The welcome center will feature a covered canopy for passenger loading and unloading, and an elevator which will reach every level of the facility, including the youth areas on the third floor. The new building will also include a café, a library, a lobby with scenic views of the surrounding area, and expanded storage facilities.

“This welcome center and ADA upgrades will be more than just a building. It will be a doorway to connection, a doorway to compassion, a doorway to community,” said Pastor Jeff Davenport. “A place where first time guests can find their footing, a place where church members, and family, and people from our community can find support, and it is where that all of us can take our next step in our spiritual journey.”