Churches celebrate new locations, additions

Two churches are introducing new additions in Columbia County today.

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TrueNorth Church, based in North Augusta, added a second location for church services at Augusta Preparatory Day School, located at 285 Flowing Wells Road.

Starting today, church services are being held at 10:10 a.m. in the school's Hull Fine Arts Center, which opened in 2006 and seats 350.

TrueNorth Church held its first service March 5, 2004, in the cafeteria of Hammond Hill Elementary School in North Augusta.

As attendance increased, the church moved its services to its current location at North Augusta High School.

The church provides worship to 1,200 people, said Jessica McMeans, the business manager of TrueNorth Church.

McMeans said the need for a new location is driven by interest from Columbia County residents, who must drive to North Augusta for services.

TrueNorth Church takes a modern approach to worship. It doesn't provide Sunday school classes, but does offer interactive courses for children and youth groups.

The dress code is casual, the music is contemporary and the lessons are relevant and life-applicable, McMeans said.

"TrueNorth Church will be a reference point for all those who have lost direction and hope in this world," according to the Web site, www.truenorthchurch.com. "We want more than slick productions and nice appearances."

Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3703 Old Petersburg Road, isn't adding another location, but the church is opening a new building.

Church members will dedicate an education building today with a special service.

During the worship service, Steven Olson, the pastor for the church, said the new building will be recognized briefly. Church members will offer a meal to attendees and ask various people to speak after the service, including a representative of SD Clifton Construction Inc., the contracting company for the church.

The education building will be used primarily for the Prince of Peace Preschool, which is set to open in August. It also will be used for family ministries and to hold classes for adult members.

The building took just four months to complete, Olson said. The project cost $600,000.

"We ran out of room in our main church building," he said. "We needed a building that could accomplish both things."

The facade of the main building also has undergone changes. The church added a parking lot in the back of the building and laid bricks in the front.