Pastor Lynch
ANSONIA – For Pastor Joel Lynch, bringing his multi-cultural, non-denominational church to a vacant space on Clifton Avenue would be the answer to his prayers.
Lynch, who heads up Genesis Kingdom Center Ministries, recently submitted an application to the Ansonia Planning and Zoning Commission to open a church at 64 Clifton Ave. The property is currently owned by Ansonia residents Frank and Laura Halpin, who purchased it for $35,000 in 1996, according to city land records.
It was previously occupied by a discount furniture and mattress store. The commercially zoned property is located across the street from the St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The commission accepted the application at its Aug. 28 meeting and scheduled a public hearing for 6:45 p.m. Sept. 25.
According to City Planner David Elder, places of worship are allowed in commercial zones by special permit.
Lynch told the commission he hopes to make the Clifton Avenue space a permanent home for the church.
“We hope to bring our church there, not just for worship services, but for community outreach, meetings and more,” Lynch said. “We are a multi-generational, multi-cultural church and we hope to be part of the vibrant community in Ansonia. I want to add to the rich culture that’s already here.”
Lynch told The Valley Indy during a recent interview that his ministry celebrated its one-year anniversary in August. The congregation has been holding regular Sunday worship services at 163 N. Main St. He said the church has been sharing space with another church that has allowed Lynch’s congregation to hold services until a space of its own could be found.
“Sixty-four Clifton Ave. is an answer to our prayers, and the long search for a church space that has ensued since we started,” Lynch said. “The space would afford us the opportunity to live out the mission of spreading the word of God, not only through weekly services, but in action.”
Lynch said the space is 4,800 square-feet and would allow ample room for Genesis Kingdom Center Ministries to be a true, multi-purposed church.
“We want to be a center for ministry which means service, and a center for serving the community with love, grace and compassion,” Lynch said.
Lynch became an ordained minister in Bridgeport, and prior to founding Genesis Kingdom Center Ministries, he served as a pastor at St. John’s Community Church.
“I received the call from God to plant a new ministry, and Ansonia was where I was directed,” Lynch said.
Lynch and his congregation have already done several things around the community. They partnered with Valley Save Our Youth last year for a Halloween event and hope to continue the partnership with VSOY and other organizations on clothing drives and other events to benefit the community.
Lynch, currently a Hamden resident, said there’s something special happening in Ansonia and wants his upstart church to be part of it. He previously worked with special education students at Prendergast School in Ansonia and said he witnessed firsthand how a culture of togetherness and pride is promoted in Ansonia.
“Ansonia has an endearing quality to it,” Lynch said. “Our hope is that Genesis Kingdom Center Ministries can be part of it and one day become a pillar in the city. Our aim is to be a beacon of hope, offering not only spiritual guidance, but to be a resource to anyone in need, seeking to add to the already rich culture and community of Ansonia and the Valley area.”
More information about the church can be found on its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GKCMInc
The site of a proposed worship center at 64 Clifton Ave.
