Orange Park church breaks ground on new sanctuary

Alexus Cleavenger
·2 min read
1

A local historic church is breaking ground on its new sanctuary.

The St. Simon’s Church on Miller Street in Orange Park was destroyed by a fire in 2021.

Members of the congregation have waited a long time for this day.

“New building, new attitude, new spirit within the church, we have new members joining its just like a time for everything new and we’re all excited,” said Church Pastor Moyenda Ambakisye.

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When, the church first was destroyed by a fire, there was nothing left of it but ashes and concrete behind.

Investigators said that arson was suspected and at the time of fire, the church was empty.

“It was disbelief, until I actually got here to the grounds and saw the building and that’s when it all became real to me and it started to hurt, and it still hurts a lot,” said Ambakisye.

Pastor Moyenda has been a member for 23 years and said watching the church go through this transition has been tough.

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“Once the reality set in, ok this is what happened, this is where we are, lets start from here and move forward, and so here we are,” said Ambakisye.

Now two years later, they can start to rebuild.

“Everyone is all in and its time,” said church administrator Lester Perry.

The church broke ground Saturday on the new building. The new building will be about 9,000 square feet.

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Pastor Moyenda, he said he can’t wait for the day when he will get to open the doors to the new building.

“For myself and for a lot of us, the building is already there, but to physically walk in it and to open the doors and say here are the keys to the sanctuary, hallelujah,” said Ambakisye.

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