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50 PLUS YEARS

BELL ROAD CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
A Brief History
(1948-2001)
Page 2

On February 22, 1978, a tragic fire resulted in the total loss of church facilities, except for the parsonage. A total loss of $275,000 was covered by only $162,000 of insurance. Brokenhearted, the pastor and congregation faced the church's greatest challenge: a church with no building, day care with no facilities and little kindergarten children with their first year of schooling disrupted. However, the Church is NOT buildings, AND God is able and His grace was sufficient for that hour. He literally worked miracles. Again, the churches of the community offered help. Hamilton Road United Methodist Church provided their lovely sanctuary rent-free for 15 months. The Jaycees of the community gave us a home for the day care, and the ministry of the church continued.

But, the church was in a dilemma. One acre was not sufficient area for a sanctuary and educational building, ample parking, and a parsonage. Again, God's grace was all-sufficient. Six and one-half acres of land adjacent to the site of the old church became available in a miracle. Located on this strategic property was a lovely home valued at that time in excess of $50,000. With God's intervention, property and house were purchased for $80,000, giving the church seven and one-half acres of land with over 1,000 feet of paved street frontage on Bell Road and Anderson Road.

Through the long hours of hard labor by many of the men in the church, this present building was constructed and then dedicated on May 6, 1979, debt-free. Today, the total value of church buildings and property, including the parsonage, is in excess of $1,000,000. Present indebtedness, on the parsonage, is a mere $9,000.

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