DEDICATION NEWS

Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Odessa, Ukraine

 
Pastor George Pastor Giorgi preached
on 2 Chronicles 6:18-21

On July 22, 2001, an historic event took place in Odessa, Ukraine. After 80 years of abuse, the historic Reformed Church building in the center of town was returned to its proper use as the Reformed religious community restored its worship there. After two years of work, the building was ready for worship. Originally dedicated in the year 1900, the building had served only 14 years until the outbreak of W.W.I and the dispersal of its religious community under the Communists.

The building dedication was a great event, with over 40 visitors coming from the U.S., and 70 members of the Trinity Presbyterian Church choir came from Kiev. Around 400 people filled the sanctuary and atrium. Although the building was not yet totally restored, the celebration commemorated to the glory of God that the church was able to return to the building, worshiping there weekly in the house built for that purpose. This is indeed glorious!

 
Scaffolding George tv Pastors
Though the scaffolding still stands, the glory was evident Senior Pastor Giorgi Kadyan was interviewed on local television Visiting Pastors from Kiev, Nikolaev & Izmail brought congratulations

 

The builders have done a great job, including:

  • Restoration of the stained glass windows to their original state
  • Artistic oak windows and doors
  • Ornamental moldings in the sanctuary made from the original castings by hand
  • Replacement of marble steps and windowsills
  • Restoration of half of the ornamental columns
  • Ceilings redone from scratch, and chandeliers restored
  • 300 Church pews, platform, pulpit, pulpit chairs, communion table, baptismal font, and electronic organ
  • PA system and FM translation for foreigners

But underneath all these apparent and glorious ornaments lay the real work which absorbed most of the expenses in the 100-year-old building:

  • Extensive structural repairs to the basement, sanctuary floor and walls
  • Completely new roof, heating, ventilation, plumbing, alarms, fire prevention and electrical systems
  • New fire and health department regulations had to be met since its 19th-Century construction
  • The walls were stripped to the bare stones, reinforced and replastered
  • The former tenants were given help to repair their new home next door

The service was truly worshipful in the Reformed tradition, with a variety of musical traditions reflecting the church's heritage, and focusing on the message of the Word of God brought by Senior Pastor Giorgi Kadyan: "YOU are the Temple of the Living God" (2 Chronicles 6:18-21). A special plaque was presented, commemorating the contribution of the late Rev. Donald B. Patterson, who helped start the project and in whose memory many donations were given. After the service, many special visitors were recognized. Also present were special invited guests: the President of the Evangelical Reformed Seminary of Ukraine; the Pastor of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kiev; the Pastor of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Belgorod-Dnestrovsky; representatives from the Presbyterian Church in America; friends from the Odessa Theological Seminary (Baptist); and numerous missionaries and friends of the congregation. TV crews captured the event on television and video. A professional video of this special event is now available, called "Celebrate the Glory", and the history of the building is already available in the award-winning video "Restore the Glory." A bulletin board depicted the history of the building and communion.

There is still much beautification to be done, and the church will continue work for a long time. But they are finally using this church as a tool for the Gospel. The real glory lies in the historical value of this building and its usefulness in the Gospel ministry. The church has already accomplished these major goals:

  • to have a permanent and adequate home for the Odessa church
  • to return the building to worship, to the glory of God
  • to link all our Presbyterian churches with their Reformed heritage in Ukraine
  • to show the church’s commitment to their cultural heritage
  • to use these events to tell people of God's true and spiritual Temple, the Body of Christ!

Although the church has done much, they have not finished the historic restoration. The congregation had weekly work details to finish the job as they hope there will soon be funds for the steeple, the exterior work, church offices, choir loft, etc. But the work is already glorious, and the church is excited finally to be in their own "home" — a light to the nations! The church asks for continued prayers as they carry out this work.

The church is still raising funds for the Odessa Church Organ Project, and we rejoice that other church choirs are helping us. A pipe organ, along with the already-wonderful acoustics of the building, will have far-reaching influence in the city, further extending the Gospel influence of the church.