Elim Grace Christian Church, a non-denominational Pentecostal church, broke ground March 17 at its future home at 340 W. First St.

Three years ago the church purchased the former Neil O’Brien site, and one year later, the building was demolished. “We’ve been planning this for a solid five years,” said Casmir Usiatynski, a member of the church’s building committee.

The new 8,500 square foot church is expected to be “ready for worship” by fall or early winter. Usiatynski noted that the church will take up the whole block between Erie and Albany streets. On site there will be a parking lot and a playground for the children. “It’s going to be a really nice looking church,” Usiatynski said. “It will be visual from all four sides.”

D’Agostino General Contractors from Rochester was hired to build Elim Grace’s new home. Usiatynski noted that the company has built numerous churches. “They have a lot of experience,” he said. “They’re definitely developing a specialty.”

Usiatynski said that the new church will have all of the standard features: a sanctuary, a kitchen, offices and classrooms. Elim Grace has not received any grants to fund the construction. Instead, it launched a capital campaign.

“Our calling is really to serve the community of Oswego,” Usiatynski said. “We want to be in the heart of the city. We want to make it easy for those within the city to be able to come to church” whether people choose to drive or walk.

Bill King is the pastor of Elim Grace, and currently services are held at the Oswego Community Christian School, housed in the former Wine Creek Inn building. Usiatynski noted that they never owned the original church they used before they moved to the Christian School. “It was time for us to have our own building,” he said.

In 1968 Elim Grace Church was established and in association with Elim Fellowship in Lima. Elim Grace’s mission “is to reach the Oswego area and the nations with the proclamation of life in Christ by service, word, worship and prayer.”

The church has founded numerous programs and ministries to fulfill its mission, including the Marriage Course, ALPHA (a 10-week introductory course into the Christian faith), Church in Motion, Elim Grace’s youth group and Men and Women’s ministries.

Usiatynski is looking forward to the completion of the new church. “We’re excited to open up and hope others will come,” he said. For more information about the church or its ministries, call 343-3585 or visit www.elimgrace.org.