In the Spring of 1954, seven churches across Northern Ohio participated in a Sunday School Contest bringing over-crowded conditions to the church.  More room became necessary and the search for property began.  The property at 3864 Jackman was located but there was no money available for even a down payment.  So the idea of purchasing property was dropped for a while and a building fund program adopted in an attempt to raise enough cash for a down payment.  The goal was set at $1,000.00 and the means was a dime-folder contest.  Five members of the church were selected as leaders with the church divided into five teams.  The contest was to run for six weeks with the winning team to be served a free meal by the losers.

     Really, it was the enthusiasm sparked by the endeavor that got the church moving financially, providing the faith that was necessary to move it forward.  The $1,000.00 goal was reached during the second week and by the time the six weeks were over the amount had climbed to over $3,000.00 and provided the down payment to purchase the lots at 3864 Jackman.  The original asking price had been $12,500.00 but during the time the money was being raised, the owner sold 18' to the Michaels on the south.  This left 250' frontage and the asking price now dropped to $11,000.00.  In November of 1954 a land contract was signed for approximately $8,000.00.  Amazingly, it was paid off 17 months later in April of 1956 and the building was started in June of that same year.

     The struggles of that first building program are still very vivid to those who participated in it.  The Building was started with but $2,000.00 in cash.  The church had no credit with any Bank.  Since the men of the church planned to build it themselves, no bank would loan money on that basis.   Finally, a man agreed to loan $10,000.00 and the contract to dig the footers, pour them, and erect the blocks and brick was let.  No member of the church had any experience along this line so it was necessary to contract this part of the work out.   On the first day of construction, all the blocks were trucked to the site and 13 men started working.

     When the building was started in June 1956, the grand opening service was set for New Year's Eve.  Though there were still some things to finish the service was held on that date.  The last service at 3017 Detroit Avenue was on Sunday night December 30, and everything was moved to 3864 Jackman on Monday, December 31.  Speakers for that watch night service were Rev. James Hosch, Monroe, MI and Rev. George Thompson, Van Wert, OH.  This first unit of the church was officially dedicated on April 29, 1957, with Rev. F. E. Curts as the MC and Rev. S. G. Norris, St. Paul, MN, as the dedicatory speaker.  Rev. Walter Mangun, Brother Kinzie's former pastor, prayed the dedicatory prayer.