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 aligned with their respective visions for ministry. The change, first announced in May of 2024, becomes official on Palm Sunday, April 13, when both churches will hold their first services in their new locations.
Open Arms will begin worshiping at 71 Congress Street, the historic downtown church that has been home to First Baptist for generations. First Baptist will relocate to 1289 East Main Street, where Open Arms has held services since its early years of rapid growth.
“This isn’t just about buildings,” said Pastor Zoe Hatcher of Open Arms. “Being among the people in the downtown area of Bradford is the most exciting part of this move. We love our city and believe that God has a plan for it. As a ministry, we want to place ourselves in the middle of God’s will, which for us is to reach those to whom He has sent us.”
Open Arms’ final service at East Main Street will be held Sunday, April 6 at 10:00 AM, with moving trucks rolling out immediately after. Their first Sunday on April 13 at 71 Congress Street will feature two services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, held in the church’s lower-level Fellowship Hall while renovations are underway to improve accessibility and functionality in the main sanctuary. The rear entrance of the building will temporarily serve as the primary entrance while renovations are underway in the main sanctuary.
First Baptist will begin their move the next day, on Monday, April 7, officially beginning a new chapter at 1289 East Main Street — only the third location in the church’s nearly 200-year history.
“By God’s grace, the congregation of First Baptist Church has had a long presence in the Tuna Valley stretching back to 1834, and in those 190 years God has always provided us a place to do his work,” said Pastor Jeremy Childs. “This will be the church’s third address in that time, and we believe it will serve both the present congregation as well as future generations.”
“This move will bring some obvious changes,” Childs continued, “but the mission of First Baptist continues to be glorifying God by training disciples to engage our world with the gospel. Every week we open the Bible and worship the Jesus who died on a cross for sinners and rose from the grave early Easter morning.”
Both churches plan to undertake renovation projects in the months ahead to tailor their new spaces to the unique needs of their congregations. For Open Arms, that includes not only physical updates, but a renewed focus on downtown outreach.
“In partnership with our community’s other ministries and agencies, we envision coming together at community events to serve and reach out to people through acts of kindness and service,” Pastor Hatcher said. “We’re also planning to host some of our own community events, like our Super Summer Bash and Church Around Town, along with block parties and open houses to build relationships in our new neighborhood.”
Despite the changes in address, neither church sees the move as a departure from who they are — but rather a step forward in faith.
“Our Horizon Vision as a church is to see ‘Transformed Community for God’s Glory,’” Hatcher explained. “That transformation doesn’t stay inside our walls. We want God’s love to flow out and impact the whole community — and we’re already seeing it begin.”
Pastor Childs echoed the same heart. “The mission of First Baptist continues to be glorifying God by training disciples to engage our world with the gospel. Every week we open the Bible and worship the Jesus who died on a cross for sinners and rose from the grave early Easter morning. All are welcome.”
Want to attend?
Open Arms Community Church
First service in new location: Palm Sunday, April 13
71 Congress Street, Bradford, PA
Service Times: 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM
Temporarily meeting in the Fellowship Hall while sanctuary renovations are underway
More info: oachurch.com
First Baptist Church of Bradford
First service in new location: Palm Sunday, April 13
1289 East Main Street, Bradford, PA
Sunday School: 9:00 AM | Worship: 10:00 AM
More info: fbcbradford.com
