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For 86 years, First Latin American Baptist Church in Detroit, one of the oldest Spanish-speaking Protestant congregations in Michigan, has been a refuge for immigrants trying to adapt to a new culture.

Almost 300 people fill the grand and historic church on West Fort Street for weddings, funerals, reunions and community meetings, says Pastor Kevin Casillas.

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Then a decade ago, the congregation was told its building will be demolished to make way for a new, $2.1-billion crossing along Canada’s most important trade route: the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

What followed were years of delays in the bridge and limbo for the church.

Finally, three weeks ago, Michigan sued to expropriate First Latin American. It’s reportedly the state’s first big lawsuit to acquire land for the project.

It’s also the latest turn in a 15-year odyssey to build a new border crossing.

Days after the state filed the lawsuit, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton, who is closely linked to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, suggested to the Canada-U.S. Business Association in Detroit that the request for proposals to build the bridge will be issued in two weeks.