The pastor of one of Canada's oldest Black churches says a transformational expansion project will secure the church's crucial role in East Preston, N.S., into the future.

Members of East Preston United Baptist Church, community leaders, government officials, partners and supporters gathered Sunday to celebrate the groundbreaking for a $3.5-million renovation that's been years in the making.

"We are building for people we will never meet," said Rev. Andrea Anderson. "We are intentional about sowi…