An area of the newly constructed First Church of God represents a more modern look and feel after a fire destroyed the original church Dec. 26, 2016. The sanctuary will now feature projectors and a recorded broadcast of sermons delivered throughout the building. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

JAMESTOWN — The First Church of God in Jamestown made news in December 2016 after a blaze destroyed the old building and displaced those who worshipped there. The church has been rebuilt in the year and a half since the fire and is set to outshine its predecessor in new ways.

Members of the church had been meeting at 277 Falconer St. in a temporary place of worship while the new First Church of God came together over the months. With rebuilding finished, the First Church of God congregation has been meeting in the new church for services since Father’s Day weekend. A grand opening ceremony and open house will invite the public into the revamped church Aug. 11.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be an open house featuring various Christian ministries, followed by a dedication service at 5:30 p.m. Regularly scheduled church service will follow that day at 11 a.m. Aug. 12.

Remnants from the former First Church of God building decorate the entranceway, a reminder of the worship in years past and a hopeful sign of worship to be had. The Rev. Mervin Lee said that construction went smoothly over the past year and a half and that insurance covered most of the needed repairs.

“It’s all been God,” Lee said. “He’s done the work that we would not believe. It flowed very smoothly. Our contractors were just wonderful.”

This renewed building for the First Church of God is allowing for more possibilities than ever. Now only a one-floor building, everything is handicapped-accessible. Lee said it is easier to use the current 8,000 square feet they now have compared to the former building’s 11,000 square feet that was distributed between two stories and a basement.

“This building is user-friendly, I call it,” Lee said.

A coffee house-styled lobby also awaits those who enter the church. Featuring couches and custom-made stools and shelves courtesy of Lee’s brother-in-law, this new area acts as a central hub for the rest of the church’s rooms. One could relax and have a Crown Street Roasting Company coffee before or after the many classes and activities hosted at the church.

The sanctuary itself is now outfitted with projectors, which could display song lyrics, announcements and sermons. A full-size tub sits in the back for baptisms, some of which will be done at the grand opening.

Lee’s sermon’s will also be broadcasted to other classrooms in the church for those not feeling well enough to sit in a crowd. TV units are set up in the adjoining nursery and Sunday school classrooms, so no one has to miss out on a lesson.

A spacious fellowship hall sits adjacent to a kitchen with two stoves and two refrigerators that Lee’s wife, DeeAnn, will use to teach cooking classes out of. Other lifeskills classes plan to be offered soon including budgeting, crafting, exercise and more.

“We want people to feel like there’s something happening they can be a part of,” Lee said.

The First Church of God welcomes those interested to their 11 a.m. Sunday worships. Other church events include: Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., crafting classes from 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Bible study starting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays in September, prayer meetings at 6 p.m. Wednesdays and youth group hosting children ages 10 through 18 on Fridays from 6-9 p.m.