RIEGELWOOD — The congregation and friends of Greater Tabernacle Holiness Church near Riegelwood cut the ribbon on their newly constructed multi-purpose building on Saturday.

The ribbon was officially cut on Saturday and the building declared open and ready for use.

“We had our Family and Friends Day, the ribbon cutting, and dedication service,” said Elder Berline Graham of the Labor Day weekend. She added the dedication was well attended by about 500 people.

Bishop Linwood Cooper lead the procession from the sanctuary to the new multi-purpose building and he also gave the dedication message.

Graham called the building a mission in an earlier article at the time of the groundbreaking which was held in September 2014.

Graham’s daughter Luella Wills described the building as a needed “resource” for the community. She said that a CPR class is already scheduled to take place in the building.

“It’ll be a great asset,” said Wills. She added that prior to the building’s construction, there was no place to have anything of that nature.

Graham said the shelter will be outfitted with the necessary equipment whereby it can be used as a storm shelter.

The building has sparked interest in the community.

“We’ve had more people giving,” said Graham of the project.

The construction of a multi-purpose building was the vision of the late Bishop Odell Fulton, who served as pastor of the church for 29 years. He was credited with giving the church the first donation of $100 towards the construction of the building.

According to church history, when Fulton arrived at the church, there was no fellowship hall, so he organized the congregation and led an effort to construct a fellowship hall. He is credited with laying the bricks for the fellowship hall.

The building will be available to the everyone and the churches in the community for various events.

Erin Smith can be reached at 910-862-4163.

Kenny Armstrong|Bladen Journal The congregation, family and friends of Tabernacle Holiness Church near Riegelwood dedicated their new multi-purpose building during the Labor Day weekend. Pictured from left are Deaconess Leo Roberson, Dr. Pearly Hoskins, Elder Berline Graham, Deacon Henry Rhodes, Bishop Linwood Cooper, Presiding Elder Melvin Frierson and visiting Bishop Amos Major.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_TabMPBrc-0009.jpgKenny Armstrong|Bladen Journal The congregation, family and friends of Tabernacle Holiness Church near Riegelwood dedicated their new multi-purpose building during the Labor Day weekend. Pictured from left are Deaconess Leo Roberson, Dr. Pearly Hoskins, Elder Berline Graham, Deacon Henry Rhodes, Bishop Linwood Cooper, Presiding Elder Melvin Frierson and visiting Bishop Amos Major.

Erin Smith

erinsmith@civitasmedia.com