The Need For A New Building

Over time, the present building became too small to accommodate the growing congregation. During celebrations – such as funerals, Christmas and Easter – all of the members of the church (both those living in Peki and those who have moved to the larger cities for employment) gathered at the church. With great effort, temporary palm-branch shelters were erected around the church building to accommodate the overwhelming crowds. In addition to being too small, the building itself was deteriorating despite temporary repairs and needed to be replaced.

In the late 1980s, the church decided that a new building was urgently needed. With the generosity of some church members, the foundation of a new building was started. The project struggled for lack of ongoing funding, however, and work continued sporadically over the next decade as resources became available.

In 1999, the Peki Church decided to hold a “Harvest Celebration” fundraiser in support of the new building. Beatrice Affram, one of the church leaders and granddaughter of the church’s founder, took it upon herself to travel to Accra, the capital city, and spread the word about the Harvest Celebration to church members living in Accra. At dawn, she took the early bus from Peki to Accra. Tragically, as she got off the bus, she was fatally struck by another vehicle. Her funeral in Peki was attended by bishops and ministers from across the country. Soon afterward, the Harvest Celebration fundraiser was held in the unfinished church building, which only had a floor and a roof. The congregation has worshipped in the unfinished building ever since, determined to look forward and see that Beatrice’s death was not in vain.

Today, the floors, pillars, and roof of the church are built and there is a renewed movement to complete the church building.

Under the leadership of Mr. Beatson-Affram’s grandson (who shares his name) a Building Committee has formed to raise the remaining $130,000 (US dollars) necessary to complete the 1,200 seat sanctuary, meeting rooms, classrooms, and Sunday school wing.