It is difficult enough for a church to face the challenges of growth and change in times of economic prosperity, but when the economy as a whole suffers, those challenges become even greater. There are, however, many opportunities to be found for a church that is willing to think creatively. In this article I would […]

Grace Community Church
New Britain, PA
Original Building: Holograph Manufacturing Company
For many years Grace met as a church plant in a local middle school in search of a permanent home. It was difficult to find inexpensive available land in their area, and a typical land development approval process takes many years. The church found a 16,000 square […]

Bethel Fellowship at the Mall
Philadelphia, PA
Original Building: 10 Theater, Multi-plex Cinema
Bethel Fellowship found an existing, multi-plex movie theater adjacent to the Franklin Mills mall in north-east Philadelphia, and converted the building into their new home. A dividing wall between two of the theaters was removed to create a large Worship Center, and other theaters were […]

Salvation Army Community Center
North Philadelphia, PA
Original Building: Tasty Cake Bakery
When the Salvation Army chose to build a community center in North Philadelphia they specifically wanted to renovate an existing abandoned building rather than purchase an empty, open lot in order to demonstrate their commitment to revitalize North Philadelphia. The building they chose was a former […]

 
 Grace Fellowship Church
 Albany, NY
 Original Building: Strip Mall
 
Grace Fellowship Church purchased an entire shopping center strip mall and converted a majority of it into their church facility. The anchor grocery store was converted into their Worship Center, and the stores along the strip were used for classrooms, offices, children’s and youth ministry space. A few of […]