Before I continue, I should probably let you know that the information to write these stories came from Dan Gelatt himself. Dan came to my home twice and watched a DVD made from the original construction project of the West Smyrna Baptist Church. Since the DVD was made from old home movies, there was no sound, and Dan narrated the entire project as if it was filmed yesterday! Many questions and answers followed both times…along with cherished memories.
Dan said that when the site for the new church was filled and the ground leveled…everyone was excited and ready to build! BUT…(and this is the part that amazes me how someone so young could have had such self-control and wisdom). Dan told the church that there was a lot to pray about, think about, many, many plans that would need to be made. Because Dan knew that the church couldn’t borrow money to build…how are they going to build a beautiful building that can seat up to 200, has a kitchen, classrooms, downstairs, nursery, bathrooms and be one of the best-looking church buildings for miles around that would last for years.
Dan was having sermons from the Bible about sacrifice and building. He then told everyone that he and the deacons still don’t know for sure how they can do it, BUT, JUST LIKE THE GROUND AND THE SITE WAS PREPARED BY GOD, WE DO BELIEVE GOD CAN DO IT! He did tell the people that EVERYONE has to be on board with this if we are going to be able to build, because WE ARE THE BUILDERS. There wasn’t any money to hire anyone…and now the next major dilemma was how do they get materials without money?
Dan had been talking with many different people in the area even before the thought of building a church came about. One of the people he had talked with several times owned a local sawmill. Dan went back to that man and told him that they might be building a church in the next year or so. The man paused and told Dan that if they did and if they could bring quality logs along with knowing what they need for lumber and supply the support labor on Saturdays, he would cut all the lumber for them for free! (Again, be bold)
It was also about that time that one of the men who had recently started coming to the church who was an architect/engineer told Dan that he could draw-up complete plans for a building, from the basement floor to the roof. When Dan told the church about the offer from the sawmill, immediately a man offered all the most beautiful logs they would ever need!
Before long, construction began! I could recognize Bob, the architect/engineer laying the first block. There were portable electric cement mixers scattered around the worksite as teenagers shoveled in cement and gravel. After mixing, the wheelbarrow crews would take the mixed concrete to wherever it was needed. Men were laying blocks on the foundation and pouring the floor also.
It didn’t take long until the inside work on the basement portion of the church building was well underway. The plan now was to complete the basement and have services there until the top portion of the building is finished.
Every time I watch that DVD of everyone working together, giving up so much for so long, for the good of so many others, it always causes me to reflect on Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”
More connections were being made in the community as they waited for spring and nice weather to arrive so they could get started on the final phase of construction.
To be continued…
Till Next Time…..
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