LAKE ALFRED, Fla. -- First Baptist Church of Lake Alfred will spend $4 million to build a 1,500-seat sanctuary on a vacant lot near the city's library and police station.
But the project will take some time because the church has no intention of going into debt to pay for it, according to a report in The News Chief.
"One of our hopes is not to go into debt," said the Rev. Rocky Branch, senior pastor of the church. "This is our third year of holding two (Sunday) morning services."
The church bought the 10-acre site in 1998 and has been working toward a goal of building up enough funds to erect the sanctuary out-of-pocket.
"It's in our long-range plan," said business manager Carl Wilkey, "We're not planning any borrowing at this time."
Church officials anticipate it could take five to seven years to complete the project.
