VALDOSTA — The sanctuary of Azalea City Church of God at the corner of St. Augustine Road and River Street has been leveled.

From the rubble will rise a 26,000-square-foot sanctuary with a seating capacity of 1,150 and state-of-the-art sound, media and lighting systems with a price tag of about $2.5 million.

Some of the design ideas came from the Performing Arts Center at Valdosta High School, according to Senior Pastor Brett Jarriel, who has led the congregation of about 450 people for 14 months.

For four years the church has been planning the rebuilding of a new sanctuary, he said.

“Back in March 2007, we felt like the Lord was instructing us that this was the time to do it. We know it is definitely a step of faith because of the enormity of the project, and we trust the Lord to help us to complete it.”

For 12 years, the church has been holding worship services in their Family Life Center.

“The church had outgrown the old sanctuary,” Jarriel said. “We have seen a steady growth ever since then.”

The only place on the church property conducive to a new sanctuary was the site of the old sanctuary.

“We also had to tear down the parsonage and the Senior Adult Building behind it,” Jarriel said.

Cauthan Construction Company is building the new sanctuary which has a stucco front and maroon metal roof to continue the design of the other buildings on campus, the pastor said.

“We have finished with the demolition and hope to break ground in the new few days.”

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 3 p.m. March 30.

“Anyone who has had a connection with the church is welcome to come,” he said.

“We’re looking as a target date of January ’09 for the opening service — in 10 months.”

An artist’s rendition of the new sanctuary will be on the church’s Web site (accogonline.org) as soon as it is available.