Groton — Groton Bible Chapel, an independent evangelical church, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new sanctuary at 1 p.m. Sunday at 66 Toll Gate Road.

"After seven years of planning and praying GBC leadership is thrilled this day has finally come," Groton Bible Chapel said in a news release.

According to the release, the 18,514-square-foot building will include three classrooms, a 600-seat sanctuary and a large common area that will allow the church to accommodate the growth that it has seen in recent years.

"The building project, which officially began on March 4th, will be largely completed by a partnership with Builder's For Christ, a group of nearly 900 church volunteers from over 60 churches located in 17 states," the release continues. "These volunteers will come to Groton over a sixteen-week period from May to August and will provide the majority of the labor needed to build this structure. They will stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, tour our area's attractions and be a blessing to this community while they are here."

The release said the Groton Bible Chapel "wants this building to become a beacon of help and of hope."

More information is available at grotonbiblechapel.org or by following Groton Bible Chapel on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.