Matthew and Amy Olson, pastors of Covenant Life Church, will welcome the public during an open house Sunday at their new home at 220 New Castle Street. The church is occupying the previous space of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, which moved to East Diamond Street in December 2004.

A church building that sat vacant since December 2004 has opened its doors with a new congregation.

The historic building at 220 New Castle St., formerly occupied by Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, is now occupied by Covenant Life Church, a nondenominational group that previously met for two years at the Emily Brittain Elementary School.

A self-described Bible-believing evangelical group, Covenant Life holds contemporary praise and worship services at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

The church also offers a children's ministry and youth group.

"We have a strong emphasis on the kids. They're an instrumental part of the church," said Amy Olson, who shares the role of head pastor with her husband Matthew.

Although Matthew Olson delivers most of the messages, some services have been hosted by Amy.

The Olsons were both recently ordained through The Church of the Heights in Gibsonia, affiliated with Heights International Ministries.

Shortly after ordination, the Olsons began working with six other couples to assess the possibility of starting a church in Butler County.

Beginning by knocking on doors and hosting monthly picnics, the group eventually amassed enough community interest to begin hosting services.

The first event, held in January 2004, was attended by 56 people. Recent services have attracted between 80 and 100, the Olsons said.

The awareness campaign was also implemented through events like a basketball camp, ice cream social and coat giveaway.

"We're outreach-oriented," Matthew Olson said. "We don't want to be a church that's just behind the stained glass windows."We want to be known as a people-oriented church."Although several services have been held in the church's new home, the official open house will be offered from noon until 1:30 Sunday, after the regular worship.Covenant Life rents the sanctuary and other space from Kids Count II, a nonprofit corporation that purchased the building in July.The corporation is remodeling the school portion of the property for its own use, said spokesperson Jamie Hook.A mental health social services agency will be housed on the ground floor of the building, with behavioral health rehabilitation services offered upstairs.