FBCO Breaks Ground on New Education Building

Members of First Baptist Church of Olney gathered Jan. 19 after Sunday services to break ground on a long-anticipated expansion project, marking a major milestone in a multi-year planning and fundraising effort for the growing congregation.

Pastor Chad Edgington said the project represents years of prayerful preparation, careful stewardship, and faith in what lies ahead for the church. Church leaders say the space is intended to serve the entire Olney community.

“In 2024, we saw tangible seeds planted for the future as we worked with our architect and engineers to make plans,” Dr. Edgington said. “We also conducted a capital campaign to raise money for construction.”

Those early efforts carried into 2025, when behind-thescenes work began to translate vision into reality. Dr. Edgington said the church undertook a major electrical upgrade as part of laying the groundwork for what was initially envisioned as a new education building, clearing the way for the larger expansion now underway.

The new building will encompass approximately 17,300 square feet and is expected to take about 10 months to complete. While the project encountered challenges along the way, including issues uncovered during soil testing and soil engineering, Dr. Edgington said those concerns were resolved through additional planning and expert guidance.

“Thankfully, the Lord has provided what we need to construct the building,” he said. “All of those issues have been worked through, and our property and stewardship committees recommended to the church on December 21, 2025, that we move forward with the project as planned.”

Dr. Edgington expressed optimism that, with continued faithfulness from church members who pledged financial support, the project can be completed without incurring debt.

“We are hopeful that with continued faithfulness by those who have pledged gifts, we will be able to construct this magnificent facility without incurring any debt,” he said.

In addition to the new fellowship hall, the project includes a significant remodel of the church’s original 1950 building. The renovation will create a grand new entrance leading into the sanctuary, blending the church’s historic roots with its vision for the future.

The groundbreaking served as both a ceremonial beginning and a moment of celebration for the congregation, symbolizing not just new construction, but the church’s commitment to growth, community, and long-term ministry in Olney.