Cleve Hale had dreams of what the old St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 715 SW B could become long before he turned it into his latest business venture.

"I used to sneak in the backdoor and just think of the things that could be done here" he said this week inside the renovated building that is now Greystone Reception Center, which includes a wedding chapel and reception areas.

The oldest part of the church was originally built in 1901 a few blocks away; a new church was built at Southwest 8th Street and B Avenue in 1920 and the old building moved to the site and turned into education space. A parsonage was added in 1921.

"I've always been impressed by the historical nature" of the building, Hale said, and the renovation of the chapel adds modern amenities - such as a sound system, a variety of lighting and a digital concert grand piano to the airy vaulting of the original sanctuary.

Hale came to Lawton in 1970 to attend Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill and later was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam before attending the Officer Advanced Course. He later was an adjunct professor at the FAA training school at Cameron University and has had a variety of business ventures including photographic portrait shops and a printing business.

He lived a few blocks from the old church for many years and six years ago he bought the property which had been used in a variety of ways, including most recently as a furniture store - since St Andrews moved to a new building in the 1950s.

He used it for storage until beginning renovation in earnest last year.

"This is my latest passion " he said.

In addition to the chapel, there are rooms for the bride and groom, a garden room for photographs and reception areas with room for about 100 people. There also is an outdoor pavilion.

Weddings are the obvious market for the building, and Hale said Greystone can provide everything from invitation to gowns and tuxedoes to flowers, limousine service, horse-drawn buggies, cakes, and catering. Hale is even licensed to perform weddings.

Greystone aims to be a full-service provider catering to both traditional and nontraditional tastes although clients don't have to take advantage of all the services.

While Hale is focusing on weddings, he's hoping the facilities will be used for other events such as other receptions, anniversaries, reunions, church services, birthday parties, luncheons, workshops, art exhibits, and private parties. He's hoping to add some public events such as nondenominational music programs and breakfasts.

With time he plans to add landscaping to the outdoor pavilion. We want people to drive by and say "Wow".