LAWRENCE — It was a joyous Christmas for members of Church of God of Prophecy.

After five years of renting space at local churches, the Hispanic evangelical group celebrated the birth of Christ in its new church building at 54 East Haverhill St.

“It’s a dream come true,” said the Rev. Juan Melo, pastor of Church of God. “There are no words to describe how we feel. This will give us a chance to serve God and the community.”

Church of God bought the former Holy Cross Armenian Church last month.

Church of God is one of two ethnic congregations that have recently purchased new buildings in the city — the other being St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church, a Anglican group that bought Immaculate Conception Polish National Church at the corner of Andover and Phillips streets.

“It’s a time to celebrate and give thanks to God,” said the Rev. Peter Gachathi, pastor of St. Paul’s.

It took more than a year for the members of Church of God to raise the down payment for the building, which cost $550,000 total.

Members raised funds through car washes, dinners and Christian concerts. Members also made pledges and some even took out personal loans to help buy the church. Church of God of Prophecy also received an interest-free loan from the Northeast region Hispanic Church of God of Prophecy.

“All the efforts and sacrifices we made makes it much more meaningful,” Melo said.

Church of God had been interested in purchasing the Armenian church since it went up for sale about seven years ago.

Back then, Holy Cross of Lawrence and St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Haverhill merged — the first two Armenian congregations in the United States to do so. The sale of the two church buildings is funding the construction of the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe in Haverhill.

St. Paul’s Kenyan Community Church began in Malden in 2001. Members worshiped in the Malden Community Center before moving to Lawrence on May 6 after buying Immaculate Conception Polish National Church for $460,000.

The former Polish church was closed last year after a dwindling membership and the failing health of its pastor, the Rev. Maryan Gorzela, who died this month.

On the walls of St. Paul’s, the story of Jesus’ walk to Calvary is told in Polish. Meanwhile, members of the youth choir rehearse songs in Kikuyu, a Kenyan dialect, for the Sunday service.

“We want to teach them our native tongue and the values of life according to our culture so they don’t forget where we come from,” Gachathi said.

In addition to spreading God’s word, Gachathi said the church’s goal is to preserve Kenyan culture and help in the neighborhood by starting a food pantry.

“God brought us here for a divine reason and not just for the Kenyan community,” said Kibai Gikuyu, who is charge of church development. “We want to be a blessing for the other people around us.”

Holy Cross and Immaculate Conception were among several church buildings up for sale in the city.

There are still three church properties on the market, all owned by the Archdiocese of Boston: Holy Trinity Church and School both on Trinity Street and St. Patrick Convent on Parker Street.