During a unique church service Sunday morning, children wandered about the cavernous space at a former office building and call center in downtown Lewiston, as their parents kept an eye on them while listening to the guest pastor, Mark Gedicks of Windham Baptist Church.

Children are welcome and encouraged to be themselves, and if they make noise or are disruptive, it is accepted as “sounds of life,” according to the church’s website.

Others of all ages listened closely as Gedicks spoke of the glory of Jesus and how each individual can live a happy life by following a few simple steps and avoiding the pitfalls of material possessions.

More than 100 people attended one of the first services at the new location of Redemption Hill Community, a gospel-centered, nondenominational church with Christian and Presbyterian roots.

The congregation is composed of people from all walks of life and backgrounds. They share a desire to live a life devoted to their faith and goodwill toward all.

The church was loosely founded in 2011 by Josh Cousineau, a pastor at East Auburn Baptist Church at 560 Park Ave.

Cousineau and a few others said they saw a need for spirituality in the heart of downtown Lewiston. They began meeting at The Root Cellar at 89 Birch St. in Lewiston, and eventually found a home at the Pepperell Mill at 550 Lisbon St.

Last year, they were presented with too many structural obstacles that needed to be addressed and began looking for a new home. They found the ideal spot at the former Argo Marketing Group space, between Park and Lisbon streets in downtown Lewiston.

They have as their mission that, “Every man, woman, and child in the Lewiston/Auburn area would have a daily encounter with Jesus in word and deed.”

“We want to take Jesus out of a concept and bring him into the hearts and lives of people through their actions on a daily basis. We don’t want to force feed Christianity on people, but live it out,” Mason Giroux, a lifelong resident of Lewiston and one of the church’s three elders, said while holding one of his daughters after the service.

“Nations have been coming to Lewiston-Auburn, and we want to help unify everyone with outreach and meet some of their needs.”

A commercial kitchen was recently donated at which classes are taking place to help train and share ethnic and local dishes, with an emphasis on creating job opportunities for people.

Groups meet formally and informally to provide spiritual bonds, teach life skills and help many assimilate, while providing a place for longtime locals to worship and connect with fellow community members.

All are welcome at 10 a.m. every Sunday to join in the mission.