NORFOLK, Virginia – A newly-renovated worship building of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ was dedicated on September 7, 2024. The dedication was officiated by Brother Edward Maranan, Coordinating Minister of the INC’s United States East Office.

Formerly owned by Zion Grace United Methodist Church, the chapel was sold to the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) on June 15, 2018 for $650,000.

This 230-seater worship building located at 1440 W Little Creek Rd, Norfolk, VA 23505 underwent a complete remodel of its exterior and interior, audio visual wall panel, AC unit installation and parking lot repavement. The total cost of the renovation was $720,535.01, all coming from the voluntary contributions of its Church members.

INC Members in Norfolk were once part of the Virginia Beach congregation, but due to the Church’s exponential growth, the Norfolk Congregation was established to accommodate the growing number of INC members from the Hampton Roads region. “Beginning with the Virginia Beach congregation, we had an extension in Richmond and Newport News, which became a congregation,” Brother Charles Howlett, a deacon, explained. “They had so many brethren there that they decided to make a Chesapeake congregation and a Norfolk congregation.”

Brother Kevin Peck, another deacon, added,“The dedication of this chapel today is because our Executive Minister saw a vision for this property, allowed us to obtain this property, and we worked hard to refurbish it to become a completely revitalized, renovated worship building, and I think the community really appreciated that.” 

Supervising Minister of Virginia, Brother Esteban Inocencio Jr. explained the significance of dedicating this house of worship. “Inside the house of worship is where we [INC Members] hear and are taught the teachings and commandments of God, where we are taught how to please Him,” he said. 

Seeing the renovated worship building also made an impact in the surrounding community, as a resident remarked, “Thank you for making the neighborhood look better.” 

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