VERO BEACH — Healing, praise and dedication were the main themes for a three-day service held this weekend at St. Paul’s Church in honor of its official grand opening of its new building.

“This weekend is all about helping people to know what we’re about,” said pastor Jon Robbins. “It gives people a chance to see the building and experience the ministry.”

The three-day event marks a milestone because the church building, brand new, took two and a half years to construct, Robbins said. Robbins said the church had its first service Jan. 21 and that patrons have been worshiping there for four Sundays.

Helmet House Construction and C E Block Architect constructed the building, Robbins said. Today, on the 5th Sunday, officials prayed over the building and dedicated it to the Lord.

“As soon as we got comfortable in the new building, we wanted to have a grand opening,” said Robbins of the church, which had its construction completed last month.

Bagpipe Player Michael Hyde played songs at the beginning and end of the dedication service held at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Church.

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Bagpipe player Michael Hyde plays music at the end of the dedication service for St Paul’s Church in #VeroBeach.

Posted by Nick Samuel on Sunday, February 18, 2018

The special healing service was held Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., a patriotic concert was held on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the consecration and official dedication was held Sunday from 10 a.m. to about noon.

“This is a day of celebration,” said Bishop Ron Kuykendall at the Sunday event. “A church is not (about) the building, but the people in it who love Jesus Christ.”

Hundreds of people flocked throughout the weekend to the church building, located at 999 Flamevine Lane, just west of Ocean Drive and east of State Road A1A. Kuykendall led the Friday and Sunday services while world-renowned gospel singer Wintley Phipps led the Saturday concert.

Kuykendall presides over St. Andrew’s Church in Gainesville and has done healing missions in South America, Africa and around the world, according to Robbins. Phipps is the founder of special projects such as the U.S. Dream Academy, Songs of Freedom Publishing Company and Coral Records, according to media reports.

Phipps has performed for notable people including Mother Theresa of Calcutta and former South African President Nelson Mandela. He also performed for former American presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Twenty dollar proceeds at the concert went to benefit the Military Moms Prayer Group, according to parishioner Betsy Whisman. About 15 military moms were at the concert, including five “gold-star” military moms who lost their children in the line of duty.

“It was festive, but very sentimental,” Whisman said.

Nearly 200 people attended the Sunday service, including Vero mayor Harry Howle and immediate past mayor and city councilwoman Laura Moss.

“I thought it was great,” Howle said. “It’s a beautiful church.”

For more information on St. Paul’s Church, visit its website at stpaulsirc.org.

Photos by Gordon Radford