\u201cA church meeting in rented space is real awkward,\u201d\u009d said the Rev. Kent Litchfield, the church\u2019s rector. \u201cYou haven\u2019t got control of your space.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Now the church has its own building, a former department store and pool hall on Public Square. Even though renovations still are under way, the congregation had its first service there Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have been waiting for us to do this,\u201d\u009d Litchfield said about the move. His church started in 2005 when he and about 100 others split from Christ Episcopal Church after national Episcopal leaders ordained a gay bishop and recognized same-sex unions.<\/p>\n
That the congregation \u201d\u201d still about 100 members \u201d\u201d could buy the downtown building is a sign \u201cthings have gone very well\u201d\u009d since the split, Litchfield said.<\/p>\n
Now they have space in the two-story building not only for services, but also Sunday school classes and other meetings. A Holy Apostles women\u2019s group had been meeting in a nearby deli.<\/p>\n