May Day Groundbreaking at Kennesaw UMC

broke ground Sunday to prepare for a new building that will expand the Narthex and Bell Towerhouse and house an education facility and prayer room.

The church, originally founded in 1877, has been in its present day location on Ben King Road since 1981. The church came together over the weekend for a united worship service that included members past and present, visitors, district officials and previous pastors of the church.

Senior Pastor Dr. Wallace Wheeles addressed the congregation. “We are gathered here in honor of a great day in our church history," he said. "We have raised over $1,300,000 for this building project in one of our greatest times of economic challenge since the depression.”

Wheeles said that even though he would like to grow the building fund through the contributions of those present for the day’s events, he encouraged church members to instead consider donating to victims and neighbors of the recent storm devastation.  

The Reverend Dr. Jim Lowry, District Superintendent, delivered a special message to the congregation about the growth of Kennesaw UMC and the prospective impact the expansion would have on the Kennesaw community.

After the service, everyone was invited to bring their shovels and participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking. Members gathered around the groundbreaking site, while construction hats and shovels were given to children and church youth.

Wheeles made the following declaration: “To the glory of God, in the presence of this congregation, I now request that ground be broken for the narthex expansion, bell prayer tower, education and youth wing of Kennesaw United Methodist Church. Upon you as members of this congregation rests the responsibility and privilege to cause a building to rise here, devoted to the honor and worship of Almighty God our Father; and to the glory of His blessed Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Upon you also rests the joyful obligation to contribute as God has prospered you so that all indebtedness against this building shall be retired in good time.”

The first group to break ground included the chairmen of The Steering Team, Trustees, Building Committee, Finance Committee, Rev. Emily Case, Dr. Wheeles and Dr. Lowry.

The official groundbreaking was followed by a Benediction, celebration and potluck luncheon.