A fixture on Ottawa's Bank Street for 75 years, the Metropolitan Bible Church has a new home. On Sunday, parishioners celebrated their first service in the church's new location.
The Met became a victim of its own success and was forced to leave the city core in search of more land to accommodate a bigger building.
According to Bill Martin, a parishioner for 60 years, "A lot of wonderful feelings, but it was time in our history to move and relocate."
Today, the Met stands as an example of a church bucking the trend of waning interest and church closures.
"You get fed well and you're learning, it's touching you and changing you. You tend to come back and maybe even invite a friend," Pastor Rick Reed said, explaining his church's popularity.
The original Met was built during the Great Depression. The bank providing the loan required the church to be designed as a theatre, allowing it to be easily converted if the church venture failed. Instead, it grew and continues to thrive at a time when congregations are on the decline.
The church is poised for further growth. Its new location is on Prince of Wales Drive in the city's south, where a population boom is expected.
"It's convenient for me and it's close by. People are really nice to me and it was a warm welcome today, really beautiful," said new parishioner Milly Morris.
The church's bottom line is also thriving. Pastor Rick Reed says the Met is on track to be debt-free by the end of this year, despite the new structure's $14.5 million pricetag.
With a report from Kate Eggins
