Project Highlights
- 13 acres of land personally donated by Jeff and Rose Jenkins
- 100-foot tall steel cross, a beacon visible from I-81
- 16,200 sq ft steel-frame church building
- Over 400 cubic yards of concrete in the cross foundation alone
- More than 1 mile of rebar laid in the cross foundation
- Complete turnkey construction donated by Pine Knoll Construction
The Vision & The Landmark
Open Door Baptist Church sits prominently along Interstate 81. Its most striking feature is the 100-foot tall steel cross, illuminated at night, which has become a beloved landmark for both travelers and local residents — a symbol that says “you’re almost home.”
A Project of Deep Personal Significance
The land for the church was generously donated by Jeff and Rose Jenkins, owners of Pine Knoll Construction. Jeff’s close friendship with the church’s founding pastor inspired Pine Knoll to donate all construction services, from site work and the massive cross foundation to the complete steel-frame building.
This was more than a construction project. It was a labor of love and a testament to giving back to the community that has supported Pine Knoll for decades.
Engineering & Construction Challenges
The project presented impressive engineering feats, especially the cross:
- Foundation: Over 400 cubic yards of concrete with more than one mile of rebar reinforcement.
- Structure: A towering 100-foot steel cross engineered to stand strong and be illuminated nightly.
- Building: A 16,200-square-foot steel-frame worship center including sanctuary, classrooms, offices, kitchen, and social hall.
The entire project required careful coordination, significant material investment, and the dedicated labor of Pine Knoll’s team, all provided at no cost to the church.
From Vision to Reality
After years of the congregation meeting in temporary locations, the new facility finally opened its doors for Easter services in 2017. The move-in was celebrated as the fulfillment of a long-held dream for the church family.
“Whoever wants to come here, the door is open. You will see people in suits and people in blue jeans.” — Pastor Dave Hartley (2017)
Legacy & Impact
Today, the Open Door Baptist Church and its glowing cross continue to serve as a spiritual landmark along I-81. It stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when a company chooses to invest not just resources, but heart, into its community.
At Pine Knoll Construction, this project embodies our core values: integrity, community, and building for something greater than ourselves.
In loving memory of the church’s founding pastor and the shared vision that made this project possible.