BREWER – Calvary Baptist Church has taken over a former Agway building, where it is creating a gymnasium and center for city youth and will open a day care center early next year.

Calvary Baptist Church has been in Brewer since 1895 at State and Jordan streets. The church bought the property between Parker and Center streets, next to the railroad tracks, a year ago.

The Rev. Stephen M. McDonald joined the church as youth pastor in 1998 after working at Hampden’s Church of the Open Door for five years. The pastor serves nearly 90 young people ages 3 to 18 in the congregation.

McDonald grew up in a small Baptist church in Millinocket with an active youth group. He said that he hopes young people will find friendship and faith in Calvary’s youth programs, as he did. His goal in working with youth is “to deepen their faith in God and expand their world view of Christianity.”

“The church wants to stay in this community and serve the people who live here,” said McDonald, who lives a block from the church. “We wanted to invest in the community and reach people right where they are at.”

McDonald said the congregation spent three years looking and praying for a building that would allow the church to expand and be affordable. “God led us across the street,” he said.

The large parking lot at the new facility has eased Sunday morning parking problems, according to McDonald. The church plans to renovate other parts of the building over the next few years and network with the community in using the church’s new facilities to serve the needs of the city’s young people.

City Manager Stephen Bost called Calvary’s plans an appropriate use of the building. The fact that it’s situated in residential neighborhood is positive as well. He added that the removal of the property from the tax roles would have a minimal impact on city finances.

The Joyful Noise Daycare is accepting registration for children ages 21/2 to 5 years. Carol Cross will be the director of the new center.

Services are held at 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Youth groups meet on Sunday and Tuesday nights. For information, call McDonald at 989-3912.