Christ Community Church conducted a groundbreaking ceremony Sunday, July 13, kicking off construction of Phase I of its new facility along U.S. 15-501, adjacent to Campground Road.

Invited dignitaries who attended included N.C. Senator Harris Blake, Pinehurst Mayor George Lane, Pinehurst Council members Virginia Fallon and Lorraine Tweed, and representatives of the O'Connor Company, builder for the project

Remarks by Lane and O'Connor Company's Chris Jordan were followed with comments by Debbie Quale Pickles, a Pinehurst resident whose great-grandfather managed Mr. Tuft's dairy for the Pinehurst Resort. Frequent conversations with Donald Ross and memories of resort guests swinging golf clubs near the dairy cattle are part of her family history.

The relocation of Christ Community Church from a storefront building to an 8.7-acre campus is part of a new direction the church has taken in the past three years.

In addition to the new campus, Rob Ely has recently been hired as worship leader. Ely brings over 10 years of experience leading worship. Ely joins Youth Minister Joyce Clevenger and Senior Pastor Dean Engebretson, who arrived in 2005 after pastoral ministry in California and Minnesota, and denominational consulting across the country.

Phase I of the new campus will include a sanctuary, foyer with coffee bar, two outdoor patios, a playground, and educational space for adults, youth, and children. Future phases of the master plan include a two-story education center, family life center with a gymnasium, and an enlarged sanctuary. Construction is scheduled for completion in June 2009.

Christ Community Church currently meets at 180 Westgate Drive, 1.2 mile west of Olmsted Plaza on N.C. 211. Sunday morning worship services are at 10:30 a.m.