Northside Baptist doubles the size of their sanctuary

Posted

Overflow crowd of 1,302 worshippers gather on Easter Sunday in the newly renovated sanctuary at Northside Baptist in Valdosta. NBC/Special

VALDOSTA — On Easter Sunday Northside Baptist Church not only celebrated Easter, welcomed 1,302 members and guests for worship, but also entered their newly expanded and renovated worship center.

On June 4, 2017 the church gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $2.6 million project, which the church body had unanimously approved. Less than ten months after the groundbreaking, Chuck Smith and Son Construction presented the church with the completed project: signed, sealed and delivered.

Robby Foster preaches on Easter Sunday morning in expanded worship center at Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta. NBC/Special

The project expanded the existing worship center seating capacity from 600 to close to 1,200. The construction involved removing the sidewalls, placing a single custom-made beam to span the entire distance on each side and adding wings to both sides.

A glass-walk-around atrium with two-sided access to the sanctuary was added to the east side of the facility and tying into the existing foyer greatly improving traffic flow inside the building.

The renovation and expansion includes a 92-seat choir and orchestra area, new pews, a state-of-the-art sound system and enhanced lighting and interior design elements. The actual construction was actually completed in less than seven months.

During the four-year leadership of Senior Pastor Robby Foster, Northside has experienced remarkable growth in virtually every area of church life.

Worship team leading the congregation in song on Easter Sunday morning at Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta. NBC/Special

Northside member Sharon Swilley commented, “I am very excited to be part of a growing church and happy to go back to one service. We always have a great worship experience with Robby preaching and David leading the music. I can hardly wait for Sunday. I love my church.

Another Northside member Alisande Mayer is not sure how long the church can remain in just one service. He explained, “The new fan shape of the sanctuary with a larger platform area provides a more warm and welcoming atmosphere inviting the congregation to participate in worship instead of just observing. However, we look forward to a time when we have to return to two Sunday morning worship services because we’ve outgrown this new facility.”

Northside Baptist Church Valdosta