There was a celebration to be had on Bank Street on Friday.

The Suffolk Salvation Army, which was been helping bring physical, mental and spiritual well-being to Suffolk residents for decades, had finally reached the point in its capital campaign where board members felt it was appropriate to break ground on a new building.

The new, 22,400-square-foot building will include a gymnasium, a computer room, classrooms, a wellness center and more.

But more important than the size of the building, how much it cost to build, its furnishings or anything else is the fact that the building will be a beacon of hope for those in the surrounding community.

At the new Physical Health and Education building, people from the area can find not just basketballs, but Bible studies; not just computers, but caring; not just a gymnasium, but God.

The Salvation Army helps those who seek its material help, without fail. But as a Christian organization, the Salvation Army also is looking to make an eternal impact on those who walk through the door — namely, helping them come to and cultivate a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

It’s a fact many alluded to at Friday’s event.

“If this facility saves just one soul, this facility is a priceless facility,” Councilman Charles Parr said.

As the construction of the building gets off the ground, we can only praise God for the vision-filled folks at the Salvation Army and the numerous donors to the capital campaign that made the building possible.