
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995                   TAG: 9504180021
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RELIGION BRIEFS

BRAMBLETON BAPTIST CHURCH, an independently governed congregation, is preparing to move to a new building on Garst Mill Road in Southwest Roanoke County. The church, which has been constructed mainly by members, will include space for worship, education and fellowship, according to its pastor, the Rev. Phillip L. Whitaker. The current building at 3634 Brambleton S.W. has been sold. Completion of the new church is expected by late May.

A GOSPEL SINGSPIRATION will be held Saturday at First Church of God, 2021 Hardy Road in Vinton. Performing at 7 p.m. will be The Victors, Altar of Prayer, New Grace and Evelyn Conner.

CAVE SPRING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH has completed its first three-year building campaign to raise $1.8 million for a new worship center, parking lot and renovation of its current sanctuary and fellowship hall for other usage. About $600,000 is now on hand. The second drive, which will be conducted in May, is intended to cover additional costs and debt management. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 1996.

WOMAN'S DAY will be observed Sunday at 11 a.m. at Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2128 Melrose Ave. N.W. Ruth Claytor, a former bank manager now studying teaching at Hollins College, will speak. She is a member of the new Spirit of Life Full Gospel Baptist Church and co-leader of a modeling course for young women.

ROANOKE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH members are converting vacant space on their property at Brandon Avenue and Grandin Road Southwest into a small park to fulfill a goal of beautifying the environment. Last year, trees and shrubs were planted on the busy corner property in lieu of sale for urban development. On April 23, two discussion groups, meeting at 9:30 a.m., will consider further ways to improve the environment. Call Robert K. Egbert, 384-7448, for more information.

HOUSE OF PRAYER, a Roanoke congregation dating from 1947 and worshipping at 1335 Kirk Ave. S.E., is relocating to the corner of Hardy and Feather roads in Vinton. Construction has begun on a new building for which Hughes and Associates are architects. Tony Feazell, a member of the church, is the job superintendent.

The Rev. Steve Parker, pastor since 1993, said growth of the congregation necessitated the move. The new church will include space for worship and education with an activities building to be added later.

The new church will have the name Parkway House of Prayer. The congregation was served for many years by the Rev. Robert L. Painter, an evangelical Christian who organized it after his conversion following World War II. Painter, 82, now lives in Roanoke in retirement.

Want to know what's going on in the religious community? Get on the Internet and find this listing of religion briefs as well as other Neighbors columns in the news section of InfiNet. Call 800-849-7214 to subscribe.

by CNB