Renovated chapel dedicated by the Iglesia Ni Cristo in Johnsonville, CT
JOHNSONVILLE, Connecticut – A newly-renovated chapel in the town purchased by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) was dedicated to God on February 1, 2025, in a worship service that served as a milestone of the Church’s growth in the United States.
Renovation of the 80-seater chapel located at 50 Johnsonville Road, Moodus, Connecticut 06469 began in February 2024, and was completed in less than a year. This included a complete remodel of its interior and installation of a new custom Johannus organ. The total cost of the renovation was $558,792.00, all coming from the voluntary contributions of its Church members.
The chapel is one of the properties included in the purchase of the 62 acres of the town of Johnsonville, which was completed by the Church on July 7, 2017, for a price of $1.85 million. The chapel was once known as Gilead Chapel, originally built in 1876 in Waterford, Connecticut. It was then moved to Johnsonville in 1969.
The dedication of the new house of worship was officiated by Brother Sheridohn Santos, Supervising Minister of the Church’s New York District. He explained the significance of this event.
“The house of worship – we know that that’s where we go to meet with God. That’s where we go to experience His spirit. That’s where we receive His words, His guidance. That’s where we are able to fulfill what is our purpose: worshiping God,” he said.
The congregation in Johnsonville was established on September 5, 2018 as a result of the growth of the Bristol, CT congregation, and as a way to bring the worship gathering closer to members living in the East Haddam area.
One of the pioneer members of the Johnsonville congregation, Paul Laviviere, described how much the new house of worship meant to him.
“I’m very happy, very pleased. The house of worship is the focal point of your relationship with God. Going to [worship service] completes my day and my week,” he said.
Another pioneer member, Edwin Rabanal, described how attending the worship service gives him strength.
“Even if I’m tired from work all day, God is waiting for me in the house of worship. So I need to be there, because He’s the One Who will give me what I need every day,” he said,
The Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) is a Christian religion in more than 165 countries and territories. It is composed of members from more than 150 different ethnicities and nationalities.
For more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) and its activities,
please visit www.iglesianicristo.net
