First Baptist Church of Bradford and Open Arms Community Church have swapped sacred spaces just in time for a significant service in the Christian faith — Palm Sunday.

First Baptist, historically at 71 Congress St., has taken up residence in Open Arms’ former building at 1289 E. Main St. Open Arms will begin worshiping in the historic downtown church that was home to First Baptist for generations.

Representatives called the move ‘an unprecedented show of unity and shared mission,’ which ‘both congregations believe is divinely inspired and strategically aligned with their respective visions for ministry.’

Church officials explained the unprecedented swap began in September 2023, when Pastor Jeremy Childs of First Baptist approached Open Arms’ Lead Pastor Zoe Hatcher about the possibility of exchanging properties. They said both churches were debt-free and, rather than seek any financial gain, ‘saw an opportunity to better align their facilities with their growing ministry needs.’

‘This isn’t just about buildings,’ said Hatcher.

‘Being among the people in the downtown area of Bradford is the most

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First Baptist Church of Bradford at 71 Congress St. has swapped buildings with Open Arms Community Church at 1289 E. Main St. Both churches will hold their first services after the trade on Palm Sunday, April 13.

Era file photo 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, a Free Methodist congregation, will hold its final service at East Main Street at 10 a.m. April 6, with moving trucks rolling out immediately after. Their first Sunday at 71 Congress St., on April 13, will feature two services — 9 and 11 a.m. — in the church’s lower-level Fellowship Hall.

Representatives said services will take place in the 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 the work is ongoing.

First Baptist will begin its move Monday, officially beginning a new chapter at 1289 East Main Street — only the third location in the church’s nearly 200-year history, according to church officials.

“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 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 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,” 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 message.

“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.”