A dream from the 1960s for a church in Graham, Wash., became a reality in the 1980s, and the church recently celebrated its 25th birthday with a church sanctuary dedication. Walt Lively, a Graham Church leader, says, "Reality starts with a dream."

The Puyallup Church voted during an October 1981 business session to plant a new church in Graham. The church began on Jan. 18, 1982, with nine families renting facilities from a Nazarene Church. One year later, the burgeoning group officially organized as a new church and several months later purchased four acres of property at 23910 70th Ave. East in Graham.

"The Graham Church was a light to me and my family, and it is to be a light to future families as well," said Chuck Madsen, a church leader.

Two phases of construction completed the structure. The fellowship hall and education wing construction began in June 1986 and sanctuary construction began with a 2003 groundbreaking. Church members and non-members alike volunteered their time over the years to build the Graham facilities. The church celebrated the grand opening of the new sanctuary on May 19, 2007.

During the grand opening, John Freedman, Washington Conference president, challenged the congregation to remain a movement, always seeking to reach people for Christ.