It was groundbreaking, figuratively speaking.

No dirt was disturbed during Solid Rock Youth Ministries' groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 18, but the event did signal the beginning of a bright future for the nonprofit organization.

The permitting process is continuing, and work is expected to get underway in September on Solid Rock's new home at 104 E. State St., Quarryville.

"It's starting our next chapter of renovation," executive director Raeanne Nixon said. "We're renovating the first floor of the youth center, which was an old car garage. We are going to have different rooms. We're going to have a multipurpose room, where the kids can run around and play dodgeball and then be able to do family meals in there. We're also going to have a cafe area where we can provide snacks and meals for the students when they come to Solid Rock. We'll have a kitchen also going in the first floor, and we'll have a conference room and a community room where parents come in."

The cost of renovating the entire building will be approximately $2.3 million, which includes the second floor. It will cost about $1.7 million for the first floor, and Solid Rock has already raised more than $1 million.

Anyone wishing to contribute can go to http://www.solidrockquarryville.com/same-rock.

"It's just been a huge blessing to see how the Lord worked everything out and how now we were able to purchase this building in 2023 and pay off the mortgage this year and be able to raise half of the first floor of renovations," said Nixon. "That was something that the board wanted us to do, so it's just incredible how the Lord is working it all out. We're just really excited."

State Sen. Scott Martin and State Rep. Bryan Cutler were two of the speakers during the groundbreaking ceremony. Martin cited Solid Rock's "real deep commitment to the community" and added that, "when it's rooted in faith, it is that much more powerful."

Cutler said, "Thank you for what you've done, and thank you for what you're going to do in the future."

Solid Rock student Jose Rodriguez stated that the building is "a place we can call home right in the middle of town."

Solid Rock Youth Ministries serves students in the Solanco area during the school year and over the summer by providing programs, activities, and family events. Solid Rock served over 400 students last year and needed additional room.

"We're really excited about this space," said Nixon. "Solid Rock started 28 years ago, and we're excited to continue reaching students with the Gospel."

All the programs are free, thanks to support from community members, churches, and businesses.

"We're celebrating God's faithfulness to Solid Rock over decades," said board chair Chris Kuhn. "We're just so grateful for our community, for our supporters. and that we just get to expand and grow and just follow God and what He's doing in the community."