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

“This weekend is all about helping people to know what we’re about,” said Jon Robbins, pastor at the new church, located at 999 Flamevine Lane, just west of Ocean Drive and across from the Portales de Vero building. “It gives people a chance to see the building and experience the ministry.”

Robbins said the church actually had its first service on Jan. 21 in the brand-new building, and patrons have been worshiping there for four Sundays. Last weekend, on the fifth 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 took two and a half years to build and had its construction completed last month.

A special healing service was held Friday evening, a patriotic concert was held on Saturday afternoon, and the consecration and official dedication was held Sunday morning.

“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 where Kuykendall led the Friday and Sunday services and 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, according to Robbins. Phipps, who resides in Indian River Shores, 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 individuals including Mother Theresa of Calcutta and South African President Nelson Mandela, as well as for American presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Twenty-dollar concert donations went to benefit the Military Moms Prayer Group, according to parishioner Betsy Whisman. About 15 military moms were at the concert, including five American Gold Star Mothers who lost sons or daughters while serving in the U. S. Armed Forces.

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

Nearly 300 people attended the Sunday service, including Vero Beach Mayor Harry Howle and 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.