New Life Christian Church on County Road 462 in Wildwood will have the first service in its new church building at 10 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10.
An auditorium in the 16,000-square-foot building seats 500 people. The construction project, which began last year and includes parking for 370 cars, cost $2.8 million.
Included in the new building are a large foyer, reception area, five offices, kitchen, prayer room and baptistry, It also features a cafe area and a large stage.
The old building will be remodeled for classrooms and a fellowship center.
New Life Christian Church was founded in 2005, when a group of Christians in The Villages met to discuss the possibility of starting a new church in the community.
Matt Malott of Columbus, Ind., became the minister and the first service was on Oct. 2 that year.
Church members, who included about 20 full-time and 20 part-time residents, met at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lady Lake.
Nine acres on CR 462 west of the curve were acquired in 2006 and a house on the property was modified to provide a meeting place.
A building committee was formed and developed plans for a 300-seat worship center. The first service was held there in July 2008.
Hugh Wicks of Lakeside Christian Church in Lakeside Park, Ky., became minister of worship and music in September 2012.
