WESTFIELD — Over 100 people recently gathered at the First Baptist Church of Westfield, located at 170 Elm St., to dedicate their newly installed elevator.
“The vision of our congregation to make our church building more accessible to all has been realized with the installation of our new elevator” stated the current Senior Minister the Reverend Mayra Castañeda who also said a prayer of thanksgiving asking God’s blessing on the church’s mission of making God’s love through Jesus accessible to all.
Westfield’s Mayor, Andy Skibitsky, accompanied by his wife, Debbie Skibitsky, and Pastor Mayra Castañeda jointly cut the red ribbon that officiated the opening of the elevator. Also participating in the ceremony were former Senior Minister Dee Dee Turlington, who originally launched the elevator project; Mrs. Pamela Greenlaw, a church member, who extended thanks to the congregation for their generosity and efforts supporting the project; and church moderator, Wendell O. Scott, M.D., who read the proclamation that formally declared the elevator open.
The First Baptist Church of Westfield serves the community with worship services and shares its facility with the Westfield Y for day care services; is a base for Mobile Meals which utilizes the kitchen for its operations and provides space for several other community groups. Use of the new elevator will be a benefit to the many users of the spacious facility.
For more information, visit the first Baptist Church website at FBCWestfield.org.