Hundreds of members, church leaders, community partners, and guests from across the Atlantic Union Conference and beyond gathered on July 5 to dedicate the conference’s new headquarters and celebrate 125 years of God’s leading throughout the northeastern United States.

The Atlantic Union Conference previously operated from its Lancaster, Massachusetts, headquarters beginning in 1963 before relocating this year.

Before the grand opening service began, the conference received a warm welcome from the surrounding community.

Representing the Town of Westborough, Planning Board member Mark Silverberg welcomed Atlantic Union Conference leaders and members, expressing appreciation that an international church organization had chosen the town as its new home.

“It’s gratifying to hear that a global organization wants to make Westborough its home,” Silverberg said. Drawing laughter from the audience, he added, “I don’t know why they didn’t choose Bermuda, but … I hope the town is as welcoming as you are to me today.”

The program featured inspirational music, prayer, and participation from representatives of each of the Atlantic Union Conference’s six conferences. Two ribbon-cutting ceremonies—one at the building entrance and another outside the third-floor offices—symbolically dedicated both the facility and the conference’s new administrative home. The afternoon also included the unveiling of a commemorative granite plaque recognizing the conference officers who guided the project.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abraham Jules, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, reflected on the significance of the milestone.

“As our nation celebrates 250 years,” he said, “the Atlantic Union has been ministering in the northeast for half of that time. We praise God for the long existence and ministry and mission of the Atlantic Union Conference.”

The event also officially launched the conference’s yearlong observance of its 125th anniversary, highlighting upcoming initiatives and events that celebrate God’s faithfulness and renew the church’s commitment to mission.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, who centered his message on Psalm 127:1. Quoting the familiar passage, Bryant reminded attendees, “Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” He noted that the verse appears among the Psalms of Ascent, sung by worshippers as they journeyed to Jerusalem.

“If you don’t have the Lord in the middle of what you are doing—even in your praise—you’re going to go off track,” Bryant said. “‘Except the Lord,’ everything we do will be in vain.”

Gesturing toward the new headquarters, Bryant challenged attendees to view the building not as an end in itself, but as a tool for ministry.

“The purpose of this building…this edifice, is to tell people that Jesus is soon to come.”

He concluded by reminding those gathered that the work of the church belongs to God. “God allows us to participate with Him in His work.”

Among the special guests who brought greetings were Bryant; former Atlantic Union Conference presidents Dr. G. Earl Knight and Dr. Donald G. King; Dr. Carlyle Simmons, former executive secretary for the Atlantic Union Conference; Dr. Ron Smith, president of the Southern Union Conference; and Dr. Clifford Jones, retired Oakwood University professor, dean, and church administrator.

As the celebration concluded, the emphasis remained not on the completion of a building, but on the mission it represents. The dedication honored God’s faithfulness over the Atlantic Union’s 125-year history while looking ahead with renewed commitment to serving more than 142,000 members throughout New England, New York, and Bermuda—and to sharing the hope of Christ’s soon return with the communities beyond its walls.

The original article was published on the Atlantic Union Conference news site.