By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

What is the one thing a movie theater, hotel and retail carpet building have in common? They’ve all been the home of EastPoint Christian Church.

“The church has never been in a typical building, but that kind of falls in line with our image because we’re not your typical church,” said Jared Cowgur, 28, of Gorham, a youth group leader for the church.

Although the sounds of power tools may fill the air inside the congregation’s new church in South Portland, members can rest assured their new home will be completed in time for a Sept. 12 grand opening. 

The church was forced to relocate from Scarborough after landowners decided to sell the property. Maine Medical Center owns the building, a renovated retail carpet business on Route 1.

Congregation member Sheila Flathers said everyone has been extremely excited and more than willing to lend a helping hand. 

“We posted a sign inside the church that said, ‘Here’s what we need help on,’ and we had a gazillion people sign up to paint and clean and do other things. There are just so many incredibly talented people here,” Flathers said.

This isn’t the first time the church has moved. Originally located across the street from Best Buy in the former Maine Mall Cinema building, the church spent several months there before moving to the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland for another brief stay.

The church finally landed in the renovated carpet retail store in Scarborough, its home for the past five years, Cowgur said.

The new church, located across the street from Portland International Jetport in the same complex as Time Warner Cable, has been under construction for several months and will open to the public within two weeks. A new lease will ensure the church remains in South Portland for 10 years, Cowgur said.

Renovations to the building have cost approximately $400,000. About $50,000 to $75,000 was donated by church members and the rest will be paid for by the building owner, who will then factor the cost back into the overall expense of the lease. 

Cowgur said no one has considered finding a permanent location for the church. 

Several changes to the building include constructing a large foyer as well as seven separate rooms to accommodate needs of parents with young children during celebrations and functions put on by the youth group. 

Cowgur said proximity to Interstate 95 will “allow the church to draw from several communities closer to Portland and impact the lives and needs of many.”

Cowgur, who was inspired in high school by a mentor to follow a life of faith, has led youth groups for nearly nine years and moved to Maine three years ago to work with the church.

Cowgur said nearly 450 church members participate in what is known as  “contemporary worship,” which means the dress code is relaxed and often includes jeans and T-shirts. Worship services include live music with guitars, bass, keyboards and drums. Congregation members are composed primarily of families, although the church attracts a wide range of people, Cowgur said.

For Cowgur, the church aims to provide as casual an environment as possible with hopes the experience will be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. 

Cowgur said he believes following Jesus should be an exciting and relevant experience and that many people have a negative view of the church-going experience in general. 

“Sometimes the way Christianity is presented deters people from learning more,” Cowgur said.

The church will show off its new location 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at a kids’ carnival that will feature games and rides throughout the day. The event is free and open to the public.

Services at EastPoint Christian Church take place Sundays at 9 and 11 a.m. The first service at the new location will be held Sept. 5.