A groundbreaking event is set for Sunday at 1 p.m., at the site of the new building, 11339 Markham Wesley Road, Dayton. Doug Allen, the former national anthem singer for the Buffalo Sabres, will perform at the groundbreaking event.

“It’s exciting,” said Judy Brooks, Building Team Chairperson.

The Church’s new location is around the corner from the current location, which has been the site of the Church since 1875. The property has been prepared in recent weeks, including the burning of an abandoned structure on the property aided by the Dayton Fire Department. Excavation is expected to begin in early May.

The Church obtained land to construct an entirely new building, rather than making renovations to the current building, because of the age of the current structure. The new facility will be handicap accessible, with office space and a kitchen.

Pictured is the land for the new Wesley Community Church building. The project is set to break ground on Sunday.

“We’ve never had any of those things,” Brooks said, recalling memories of her youth as a member of the Church.

The new building project has a budget set for $500,000, as members of the Church have been raising funds for the past year. Without any outside agency or grant funding, the Church has already raised $332,000 for the project.

“We’re raising all the money ourselves,” Brooks said.

Donations are graciously accepted by mail at PO Box 144, Cattaraugus, NY, 14719.