My Site
ደብረ ምጥማቅ ቅዱስ ዩሐንስ የኢ/ኦ/ተ/ቤ/ክ በቻርልስተን
Saint John The Baptist Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Charleston
Our
Project
For many years, we have envisioned owning a church that meets both our financial constraints and our needs as a small congregation. This aspiration led us to consider purchasing an existing church building. However, the scarcity of churches available for sale and the high mortgage prices in the current market have made this option unattainable. These challenges compelled us to explore alternative solutions to fulfill our dream of establishing a place of worship.
After much deliberation, we decided that purchasing an empty plot of land and constructing a church from the ground up would be the most viable path forward. This approach allows us to build at our own pace and design a space tailored to our congregation’s unique requirements. Though this undertaking presents its own set of challenges, it also offers the flexibility and control we need to create a sustainable foundation for our community.
In April 2024, a significant milestone was achieved when we secured a loan from the First National Bank of South Carolina. With this financial backing, we purchased a 2.54-acre plot of land as the future site of our church. The property, lightly wooded and serene, presented an ideal location for our vision to come to life. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in our journey toward establishing a permanent home for our congregation.
Driven by the dedication of our members, we quickly set to work on preparing the land. Renting equipment and collaborating as a community, we cleared the trees and bushes to reveal the land’s topography. This initial effort not only made the site more accessible but also laid the groundwork for contractors to assess the property and provide construction estimates. The progress so far reflects the strength of our collective commitment and faith in this endeavor.
This picture was taken right after we finalize the land purchase, and it commemorates a special moment when we came together as a community. It was a time of gratitude, unity, and reflection as we stood on the ground that would soon become our place of worship.
Together, we offered heartfelt thanks to God for guiding us on this journey and shared a prayer for blessings over the land and the vision ahead. This gathering marked the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and faith in what is to come.
With the help of God and the support of our skilled and dedicated members, we took the initiative to clear the land ourselves. Renting the necessary equipment, we worked together as a team to prepare the site.
This hands-on approach not only fostered a sense of community but also allowed us to save money. These funds will be put toward building the church in the future, bringing us one step closer to achieving our shared vision.
With the will and guidance of God, we accomplished the challenging task of clearing the trees and bushes within just one week. It was a testament to our faith and determination as we worked tirelessly to prepare the land.
This effort marked a significant step forward in our journey to build our new church. With the land now ready, we feel even closer to realizing our dream and creating a sacred space for our community.
Although there is no physical church on the site yet, the congregation gathers monthly on the land we purchased to honor Saint John the Baptist and celebrate together. These gatherings have helped build a strong sense of community and spiritual connection.
While these meetings have been deeply meaningful, they also underscore an urgent need for a dedicated worship space. Such a space is crucial to better serve the congregation and extend our outreach to the wider community, making it a top priority as we continue to grow and strengthen our faith.
