First Morning Star Baptist Church, Bena, will celebrate the next chapter in its rich history this weekend, as it will formally dedicate its new state-of-the-art sanctuary.

The public is invited to attend a cornerstone ceremony on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., followed by a cookout. Then on Sunday, a dedication service for the new building will begin at 3 p.m.

The century-old former sanctuary was torn down in September and construction on the new building began several weeks later. The new space not only nearly doubles the seating capacity of the old sanctuary, but also incorporates a baptistry and state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment to be used during services.

According to Deacon R. “Levi” Foster Jr., chairman of the church’s building committee and chair of the deacon ministry, it was important for the new sanctuary to incorporate elements of the historic building inside. He said the 1904 cornerstone of the old church, along with several of the stained-glas...