Finally, a home has been completed for one of our most-dynamic church groups, a quarter of a century after they were first founded. 

It has been a journey more than 15 years in the making, but Orange Evangelical Church (OEC) is now inviting the whole community to celebrate the opening of their new purpose-built ministry centre on Sunday, June 5.

Since its founding in 1996, OEC has made use of local school halls for their Sunday services. While the schools have been very accommodating and the arrangement has worked well, it also has limited what the church has been able to do, OEC Senior Minister, Ed Springer said.

So, 15 years ago, the church set about building its very own facility — a journey that has now finally come to an end.

“We are a church that has been around 26 years, and we are finally getting a home that we can now gather in together!” Ed said excitedly.

“Our congregation are involved in every part of the Orange community but, what you can do as a church, is limited when you have to rent every time you want to do something.

“So some of OEC has been invisible to the local community because it has been our people doing stuff with their neighbours and their local sports clubs and things, but as a church, this will be an incredible opportunity.”

Located opposite the Ploughman’s Wetland on the corner of Cargo Road and Cottonwood Way, the new home of OEC includes a 350-seat auditorium, a break-out space to accommodate large crowds or as a function room, classrooms, kitchen, creche, and a gated green-space.

“The auditorium and break-out space are — acoustically — very well built, probably one of the best acoustic buildings in town,” Ed said.

More than just being a home for their 800-strong (and growing) OEC congregation, Ed and the church leaders see their new facility as being a true community space.

“We have got lots of ideas and, once we move in, we can build partnerships in the community,” Ed said.

“We expect the site will be well used Monday to Saturday, with many groups being able to use it at different times and all ages… Actually having a home now allows us as a church to do more together and more for the community.”

“And more in terms of bible study groups and playgroups too for young families,” added church member Jo Upson.

“I have a six-month-old, so I will have the opportunity to come along to play groups. We will be able to run community events so we are keen for the community to come to us and speak to us about our building and how we can welcome them in and house them here.”

Long-time OEC member and part of the church’s leadership group, Steve Adams, said he is excited for the community to finally come and see their new facility.

“It has been about 15 years since we decided to look around for a place to build a church, and I'm looking forward to welcoming people into that facility,” Steve said.

“I've been here for a long time and all the people in our church  — who are right through the community — I'm sure they would all love their work colleagues and friends to come share the building with us.

“It will be a really good facility for Orange, and I'm just really keen to welcome people in.”

Orange Evangelical Church is holding an open day for the new ministry centre on Sunday, June 5, running from 12–4pm.

It’s a free, family-friendly event with a sausage sizzle, High Tea, jumping castle and games, live music, face painting, and more.

There will be an official opening at 2pm and the first official church service in the new building at 5pm.

“We want to take away some of the mystery of this wonderful building that people have been driving past for the last 18 months,” Ed said.“We want to be open to the public — our doors are open. We want people to come and visit it, imagine as a community what we could do to help, and we'd obviously love people to come and hear about the great hope of Jesus,” Ed concluded.

The new Orange Evangelical Church Ministry Centre is located at the corner of Cargo Road and Cottonwood Way. All are welcome to attend one of OEC’s four regular Sunday Services held at 9am, 11am, 4pm, and 6.30pm.

For more information, visit www.oechurch.org.au