A time to be thankful

Bryce Alderton

Nearly 10 years of planning came to a conclusion Sunday when a Newport

Beach church opened the doors to its new two-story house of worship.

About 800 guests were expected to attend the two-hour worship and

blessing service to christen the new church building at St. James Church

in Newport Beach Sunday night.

Newport Beach resident Ron Speers, accompanied by wife Flo on Sunday,

has attended the church for 25 years.

“I’m impressed because it was done on schedule and it came out so

beautiful,” Speers said. “It’s maintained the tradition of a warm feel

that the former church had.”

The new church can now hold 375 guests each service compared to 225 at

the old church.

“We’re expecting our attendance to increase now because there’s more

room for families and everybody now,” said Karen Bro, director of

communications at St. James.

Susan Caldwell of Costa Mesa has attended the church for a year and

was joined by husband Steve and daughters Elise and Jacqueline, who sang

in the choir during the service.

“It’s exciting to be a part of a new vision and plan,” Caldwell said

while holding 3-year-old Elise’s hand. “I’ve got young children and it’s

exciting knowing they’ll be a part of what’s in the future.”

The new church building, which had its groundbreaking in February, is

the final piece of a $3.6-million project that includes a rector’s

office, choir rehearsal rooms, a vesting sacristy where worship service

participants dress and prepare for services, a chapel and a soundproof

room for parents with babies.

The campaign to raise the $3.6 million began in March, with all the

pledges coming from church members.

Since the old church building was torn down in January, worship

services have been held across Via Lido in the church’s Chapel Building.

The new building was built on the same site as the old church.

In addition to its three Sunday services and a noon Wednesday service

with Holy Communion, the new building will host weddings, funerals and

memorial services.

* Bryce Alderton is the news assistant. He may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at o7 bryce.alderton@latimes.comf7 .