Fifty years ago, members of Parkway Baptist Church met in a storefront on Liberty Road using bedsheets to divide classrooms. This Sunday, the church – now more than 400 strong – will dedicate its fifth building expansion, a project eight years in the making Included in the addition is a fellowship hall able to accommodate 500 people, an industrial kitchen and 7,100 square feet of classroom space for preschool education.

Pastor Bart Walker said the purpose of the expansion is to not only meet the growing needs of the Parkway congregation, but help spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

&uot;This building reflects only a little bit of what is in our hearts,&uot; he said.

David Huber, long-time church member and chairman of the project building committee, said planners were careful to make the new space accessible to both young and old.

A new elevator connects the expansion with the worship sanctuary and preschool classrooms boast miniature sinks perfect for shorter legs. The church has no plans presently to hold a day care in the new facility.

&uot;We’re trying to minister to all ranges of ages and all ranges of needs,&uot; Walker said.

Through the &uot;Building by Faith&uot; campaign, church members contributed all the money needed to build the new facility.

But the work is not over yet, Walker said. Every member has been asked to contribute an additional dollar for each person in their family each week to help continue the improvements.

Future plans are to build a full-size gym in the rear of the property, extend the cramped parking lot and renovate one of the older spaces into a youth center for teens in grades seven through 12.

When will the growth end? Never, said Huber. &uot;You never get through. If you get through, you close the door.&uot;

Walker nodded. &uot;If you don’t proceed, you recede.&uot;

The dedication will begin with church services at 10:45 a.m. Sunday followed by a meal in the new fellowship hall.