By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – The Bible Baptist Church of New Egypt began its 50th anniversary year by breaking ground on a new church. A ceremony was held on Nov. 20 at 98 Lakewood Road, where the new structure will be built.
Dominick Cuozzo, pastor, said he is grateful the congregation will have a new house of worship.
“I feel both humbled and grateful to be able to serve as pastor of the congregation during the construction of the new church,” he said. “I am praising God for our heritage and committed to going forward in faith.
“God gives us all opportunities and responsibilities in our lives. It brings me great joy to have this opportunity to serve my Lord. Jesus Christ paid the price for my sin on the cross, He loved me before I loved him and he is worthy of my very best,” said Cuozzo, who came to the church in March 2010.
According to Cuozzo, the Rev. Wallace B. Johnson, who founded the church, was considering three locations for a house of worship: Atlantic City, Toms River and New Egypt.
He said Johnson arrived in downtown New Egypt and saw a space for rent on Main Street. In May 1966, the New Egypt Chapel was founded at 3 Main St.
In the early 1970s, the New Egypt Chapel relocated to a vacant church at 8 Magnolia Ave. Renovations took several years to complete and the renewed building was dedicated on Oct. 9, 1977.
Johnson suffered an aneurysm in 1975, but continued to pastor the church until he died in 1979, said Cuozzo.
In April 1981, the New Egypt Chapel changed its name to the Bible Baptist Church.
Cuozzo said the new 9,000-square-foot church on Lakewood Road will cost about $2 million to build. He said about $300,000 in donations has been raised.
He said additional room is needed to accommodate a congregation that has seen steady growth during the past six years.
In a press release distributed by Cuozzo, Township Committeeman Herb Marinari congratulated the Bible Baptist Church on starting construction of its new building.
“Please extend my hope and prayers to your congregation for the rapid completion of the project. Thank them for praying for me and the other township officials. I am deeply appreciative that you and your congregation take the time each week to do so. May God bless you and your congregation now and in the future,” Marinari said.
