Grace Fellowship House of Solutions, a Church of God in Christ Pentecostal church, celebrated Sunday a new beginning in the facility vacated by Transfiguration Catholic Parish at 1301 Harris Road in Ypsilanti.

According to Pastor Willy Powell, the church hopes to connect with the surrounding neighborhood and offer services--spiritual and practical--to help revitalize the community.

After renting space for 10 years in the former Brown Chapel AME Church at 401 South Adams St., Grace Fellowship, with about 150 members, was ready to expand its ministry but found itself landlocked. The congregation had very little room for expansion or parking and was saving to build a new facility--a difficult feat in the current real estate climate.

A church member noticed that the church building on Harris Road was available. Situated in a neighborhood with a sanctuary capacity of 650, a fellowship hall for 200, administrative offices, and space for outdoor recreation, the facility was an ideal setting to expand the church's ministries.

Although the congregation had been saving for new construction, they felt this was God-given opportunity to make a difference within an existing community.

"It is such a blessing," said Powell, who has been pastor of the church since its inception in 1994. "We couldn't afford to build a facility like this from the ground up," and it suited their goal to partner directly with the nearby neighborhood. The Catholic Diocese of Lansing worked closely with the church to arrange the purchase, listed at $840,000.

Grace Fellowship is already working hard to be good neighbors. Before they moved in, members surveyed almost 100 homes in the neighborhood to find what the residents need most. The church heard an outcry for a vibrant youth and after school program, job coaching, and resources to combat stress and substance abuse, according to Powell.

The church plans to meet those needs as best they can, beginning with an after school program and outdoor activities for youth and children this fall. This week they held a back-to-school bash with free haircuts, a clothing giveaway, and packages to help families get ready for school.

So far, the community connection seems to be working. More than 300 people--about twice the current membership--attended the grand opening in the new location on Sunday.

Pam Stout leads Faith and Home & Garden coverage for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at pamstout@annarbor.com.