Staff photo / Bob Coupland Pastor Rich Weller of First Assembly of God Church on Parkman Road dedicates the newly remodeled church sanctuary to former pastor Oliver Dalaba and his wife Ginny, who served the church from 1974 to 1986. The sanctuary was dedicated earlier this month with a special service.

WARREN — With the message “Welcome Home,” members of the First Assembly of God Church off Parkman Road named their remodeled sanctuary the “Dalaba Sanctuary” for their former longtime pastor, Oliver Dalaba.

A dedication ceremony took place this month to honor Dalaba and thank the congregation and workers for making the $200,000 remodeled room a reality.

Pastor Rich Weller said the interior of the sanctuary was worked on for several months starting in March and made possible by donations. He said many who attended the dedication were part of the founders of the 111-year old church.

Weller said the church is debt free thanks to the many donations.

“Who would have imagined that this would be possible. We are here today to dedicate this sanctuary,” Weller said.

Dalaba, 92, who attended the dedication, served as pastor from 1974 to 1986.

“He had many incredibly successful years here as pastor with soul winning and outreach,” Weller said.

In 1975, the congregation voted to purchase 2.24 acres of land to expand the sanctuary to seat 1,400 people. There were also plans to have a K-8 school at the church site with that groundbreaking in 1976.

Weller said in November 1977, the congregation moved into the new sanctuary with 762 people in attendance. He said on the cornerstone was “We Did Our Best. God Did the Rest.”

“Today, 48 years later we celebrate the dedication of our newly remodeled sanctuary,” Weller said.

He said the congregation members wrote scripture verses and prayer requests on the concrete floor as the project was underway. Weller said prayers were said as hands were laid on every seat in the sanctuary.

He said the dedication to Dalaba was to thank he and his wife Ginny for their dedication to the church over the years.

“Their love, commitment and guidance touched so many lives. The Dalaba Sanctuary stands as a tribute to his service and deep devotion to God,” Weller said.

Dalaba said he was impressed by the “wonderful remodeling” done at the church.

He said he remembers the young people who served the church for more than 11 years who have taken on leadership roles in the church.

Dalaba said he was proud of the mission work the church members have done over the years.

Pastor Dan Lund, who serves as pastor to all the pastors overseeing 270 Assembly of God churches in Ohio with 900 ministers and 7,500 constituents, said, “We are better together. What was able to be done here shows all things are possible when we come together.”