On Saturday, November 28, the Ochanomizu church had a special dedication service for their new building. Over 200 attended with some coming from as far as the United States.
After several years of discussions with the Chiyoda Ward government, an agreement was reached for the ward government to build a multistory building on the church’s property in Ochanomizu. The top three floors of the eight story building are for the church’s use. Floors two through five are used by the ward government for a senior citizens’ day use facility. Both the ward government and the church have offices on the first floor.
For three years the Ochanomizu church has been without a permanent meeting place. On Sunday mornings they used rented facilities at the YWCA in Ochaonomizu. Other assemblies were in a rented room at the Ochanomizu Student Christian Center. The church also rented a small office space at the OSCC.
Each Sunday saw many of the members transporting songbooks, communion supplies, Bibles, bulletins, and other necessary items for the morning assembly to the rented hall. Without any large meeting area the church was unable to have fellowship meals together during this period.
The church is now in its new facility with ample area for assemblies, classes, and fellowship. Yoshiya Noguchi, minister for the Ochanomizu church, spoke at the dedication service. Over 200 were present for the worship assembly, giving thanks to God for the new facility and dedicating it to His service.
We are indebted to Takumi Fukunaga, member of the Ochanomizu church, for supplying photos of the new facility on its first Sunday of use, November 15.
Here are some pictures of the outside of the building taken early in September while still under construction.
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