The Buena Vista Seventhday Adventist Church held a groundbreaking Friday, May 8, for a new church building at 177 Bares Wood Lane in Lexington, drawing about 70 attendees.
The congregation purchased the property in 2014 and had planned to begin construction in 2021, but the project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Site work — including driveway, retention ponds, fencing and retaining wall — was completed ahead of the ceremony.
Former pastors Rick Labate and Bob Banks, along with current pastor Luis Beltre, addressed the crowd. Building committee co-chair Dickie Hevener and church treasurer Patty Lemon also spoke, sharing how the congregation came to purchase the site, how the Lord has been leading and providing and how the effort has been funded.
Representatives from the Potomac Conference of Seventh- day Adventists attended and joined the ceremonial groundbreaking, along with the church’s seven-member building committee and the pastors.
Footer, foundation and slab work are expected to begin by early June. Phase 1 includes a fellowship hall, kitchen, classrooms and restrooms. Phase 2 will add a sanctuary, foyer, additional classrooms and office space.
Church leaders are hopeful that Phase 1 will be completed in about 18 months, and the congregation can move into the building with Phase 2 then starting.
