Church for All: Thank You for Making Room
The Church for All fundraising campaign has ended. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, prayed, and helped make these improvements possible.
When we moved into our home at 71 Congress Street in Bradford, PA, we wanted people of all abilities to be able to worship, build friendships, and feel at home with our church family. You helped turn that hope into work we can celebrate today.
Whether you gave a little or a lot, offered your time and skills, or encouraged us along the way, thank you. We’re grateful for our Open Arms family and the neighbors, businesses, and friends who have supported this work.
Look what we’ve accomplished together
Through gifts of money, time, and skill, the completed improvements at our downtown church include:
- A new roof to help protect our church home.
- Accessibility improvements, including an accessible bathroom and an elevator. The elevator has been approved and is available for Sunday morning access to our upstairs worship space.
- A ramp and chair lift at the front entrance off the Congress Street parking lot.
- Freshly painted walls on the main floor and in the sanctuary.
- Our first boiler restored to working order, heating the sanctuary, office, and downstairs hallway.
These are completed improvements across our work since moving downtown. They help us welcome people and care for the spaces where ministry happens.
And through it all, ministry has continued. We’ve welcomed neighbors, shared meals, built friendships, and celebrated people choosing to follow Jesus and being baptized. We thank God for what He’s doing here, and we thank you for being part of it.
Real people helping people become more like Jesus as a family. That’s our mission, and your generosity helps us live it out.
Read the elevator approval announcement
Ready to visit? Join us Sunday at 10 AM. Guests who need the elevator/lift can park in the rear lot off Elm Street and enter through the rear entrance. A ramp and chair lift are also available at the front entrance off the Congress Street lot.
Plan your visit and find current entrance and accessibility directions
Our next project: Warm Hearts, Open Arms
A warm welcome starts here.
Our first boiler is working, but the second boiler needs to be replaced. It heats our children’s ministry spaces, fellowship hall, and café—places where children learn about Jesus, people share meals, and conversations become friendships.
Warm Hearts, Open Arms is our current fundraising campaign to help keep these gathering spaces warm for children, families, friends, and neighbors.
Thank you for helping us get this far. If you’d like to help with the next project, visit the current campaign page for the fundraising goal, matching-gift details, and ways to give.
The Church for All Story
The articles below share the history of this campaign and our move downtown. Dates, service times, and fundraising requests in older articles reflect when they were published.
For current visitor information, plan your visit. To support our current fundraiser, explore Warm Hearts, Open Arms.
The Elevator Is Approved! Open Arms Is Ready to Welcome You Upstairs
We have some good news to celebrate: the elevator at Open Arms Community Church has been approved and is ready to use! That means our upstairs worship space is now accessible for Sunday morning. If you’ve been waiting for the elevator to join us upstairs, we can’t wait to welcome you this Sunday at 10 … [ READ MORE ]
Two Bradford Churches Trade Spaces to Better Serve the Community
BRADFORD, PA — In an unprecedented show of unity and shared mission, two Bradford churches are swapping buildings this spring — not out of necessity, but out of calling. Open Arms Community Church and First Baptist Church of Bradford will exchange church buildings in a move that both congregations believe is divinely inspired and strategically … [ READ MORE ]
🕊️ Holy Week & Important Dates at Open Arms Community Church
Dear Church Family, After much prayer and anticipation, we are thrilled to announce that Open Arms Community Church has a confirmed moving date! We’ve been waiting for this moment, and now we can officially share that we will be closing on our new building on April 4, 2025. This is a huge milestone for our … [ READ MORE ]
Pray for Squirrels
This morning I was brainstorming, thinking about our Church For All fundraiser. I don’t know about you, but looking at that number we’re aiming for feels more than a little daunting. In my head was one thought: “Who could we possibly reach out to who can make a dent in that much money?” In that … [ READ MORE ]
Finding a Family: Why Church Accessibility is Great for Everyone
By: Daniel Robinson, Missions Coordinator, Open Arms Community Church In today’s fast-paced and often isolating world, many people crave a sense of belonging, a place to connect, and a community to call home. For centuries, churches have served as havens for spiritual nourishment and community-building. But how accessible are these spaces to everyone, really? For … [ READ MORE ]
Breaking Down Barriers: Does Jesus care about accessibility?
By Zoe Hatcher, Lead Pastor | Open Arms Community Church | http://oachurch.com Mark 2: 1-5 1”A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word … [ READ MORE ]
The Gift Of Inclusion: The Power Of Accessible Worship
The word inclusion has become a loaded term in our world today. Too often, it gets tangled up in debates and controversies that divide rather than unite. But at its heart, inclusion is a simple, beautiful concept: making room for everyone, ensuring that no one is left out, and creating spaces where all people feel … [ READ MORE ]
Get Ready for Giving Tuesday – Let’s Build a Church for All!
This year, we’re thrilled to participate in GivingTuesday, a global movement of generosity that inspires millions to do good. GivingTuesday is more than just a day—it’s a reminder that we all have the power to make a difference in the world, starting right here in Bradford. At Open Arms Community Church, we’re working toward an incredible … [ READ MORE ]
Open Arms Community Church and First Baptist Church of Bradford Announce Historic Building Swap for Better Ministry Stewardship
Bradford, PA – Open Arms Community Church, a Free Methodist congregation, is set to swap buildings with the First Baptist Church of Bradford in a unique and transformative partnership that will enhance their ability to serve the community. The move, scheduled for Spring 2025, will see Open Arms relocating from its current location at 1289 … [ READ MORE ]