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INC Acquires and Restores Former Worship Buildings of Other Faiths In The United States
Nan: Across the world from the islands of the Far East, throughout cities in the West, the Church Of Christ continues the construction of new houses of worship. This process goes beyond new builds in many locations. Former churches and properties are acquired and renovated for worship in the Church Of Christ.
Nan: Through the guidance and leadership of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Church Of Christ continues to expand worldwide, including here in the United States, in places such as; Shoreline, Washington State, purchased from the Northwest Church of Christ; and Bremerton, Washington State, purchased from the United Methodist Church; to the Midwest in Lamotte, Iowa, purchased from the Catholic Church.
Nan: And in many more in the cities of Temecula, California, Fontana, California, Woodbury, New York, Lake County, Illinois, Windham, Connecticut, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Nan: Walking into this chapel today, you would never guess who used to worship here. Many, like this one here in Riverside, California, was previously owned by other religions. So what changed? Why is this happening? Over the past decade, across the US, churches have faced profound change. In a single year, congregations were closing at historic rates. Massive attendance drops led to unsustainable operations for thousands of church buildings and properties, leaving them empty, sold or abandoned–a growing interest in real estate redevelopment programs for its architecture, and moreso, its central locations.
Nan: As communities grow and shift, the Church Of Christ carefully evaluates the needs of its expanding membership, working to ensure houses of worship remain accessible and welcoming in every neighborhood. Among the acquisitions are major properties in places such as Washington, D.C., standing on the streets that lead directly to the White House.
Nan: In Chicago, a former Lutheran worship building designated as a historic building.
Nan: Once a Catholic parish, this house of worship was purchased and renovated in Philadelphia, also designated as historic by the City.
Dale Shraeder: I was really happy because since I grew up around here, it’s better if we go into a neighborhood with a lot of people. Then they see that you’re trying to help the neighborhood. And people get excited about that. And we should be getting excited about it, too, because it’s an opportunity.
Nan: Building or renovating a house of worship involves more than vision alone; rising land costs, complex zoning restrictions, and lengthy approval processes shaped every step of the way.
Raymond Frank: When you’re renovating, you have to work with what’s existing. There’s always the challenge of trying to work with the existing structure, work with some of the existing design elements of the building, and then just trying to add on what we can, change whatever we can, to make it look more contemporary, more suitable as a house of worship.
Raymond Frank: Even existing chapels, some of them have very unorthodox kind of seating arrangements. And so we have to try to make it something that’s more suitable for our type of worship service. We have to arrange the tribuna, arrange the congregation seating and arrange the choir loft and make sure that’s done in an orderly way.
Nan: Over the years, dozens of properties across the United States were acquired, renovated and maintained, from structural updates to modernized facilities, to better serve growing congregations, including the House of Worship in Riverside.
Nan: Situated in a historical district and originally built in 1928, the structure standing at the corner of Locust and Third, is designated as a historic resource for the City of Riverside. This meant preserving the unique Lombard Romanesque features of the building’s exterior, requiring any major changes to only affect the inside.
Joshua Anthony: It feels more open. It’s more, you know, a lot more light in here. It feels like it’s more opened up.
Nan: Joshua, a resident and construction worker by trade, was one of many volunteers who stepped in to help with the renovation.
Joshua Anthony: I was in here on the lift, taking down a lot of rafters, getting everything out of here and all that kind of stuff. And I also was with the rest of the brethren. I get to travel, run around for work, and get to see a lot of places of worship and everything. But this is the home where I’ve always been, and this is our place of worship.
Nan: Outside of the Philippines, it’s not often that we see another INC house of worship located in the same city as another. But just a short drive away, the Church Of Christ acquired another house of worship property, adding to the footprint of houses of worship here in the city of Riverside.
Nan: Acquired from the Arlington Christian Church, the property sits on over three acres and faces a main street. After being renovated to reflect more of the Church Of Christ design, this house of worship was dedicated in 2016.
Mario Tolentino: My favorite part of this house of worship is the ceiling. It is quite different from other[s] that we renovated, you know? They maintain[ed] the original design on the wood.
Nan: Today, the Church Of Christ maintains active houses of worship in more than 70 countries, extending its presence far beyond the United States to serve members and communities worldwide.
Mario Tolentino: Most of, other churches, are selling their buildings, but for us, the Church Of Christ is buying those places, you know? And it shows to the world that our church is progressing–a global church.
Mario Tolentino: Not only Filipinos who are members back in the Philippines, who happen to migrate to this country, but also in the immediate community.
Maria Thelma Guadiz: When I hear the Church is purchasing properties around the world, more and more properties, I feel very proud because we are getting the word out to more people in this world. The house of worship is important to me and to my faith because God is there waiting for you.
Nan: These houses of worship aren’t just about how they’re built.They opened their doors to something lasting. The faith of Church Of Christ members passed from one generation to the next.
Arleen Satele: I was an organist in Riverside, and I’m still an organist now. That’s what I want to share with other kids in the Church is that all of this benefits you.
Christine Balbuena: You know, I can think back and it seems like a blink of an eye then suddenly here we are with grayer hair; older. My parents have passed, you know, a couple of our other pioneers have passed. But it’s not about those people. And remember the sacrifice that God helped them to make and continue that work, to have that same conviction, that same resilience, to be one with Administration.
Nan: Over the past decade, more than 4000 worship buildings have been dedicated worldwide under the administration of the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
Raymond Frank: That the Church will continue to grow and continue to expand, and we’ll have many more beautiful houses of worship that the brethren can use to to serve and to worship God. The Church will continue to purchase more properties because of the growing needs of the brethren in different parts of the world.
Raymond Frank: The Church continues to expand. That’s going to continue to happen, you know, as time goes on. The work I don’t think will ever stop.
Melinda Hughes: It’s important to take care of, of course, God’s house of worship. This is where we have our moments with Him. I’m so grateful that the Church has grown so much so, so many people can experience that. It’s such a blessing to have.
Mario Tolentino: A house of worship is a focal point of every one of us. It defines our identity, our faith.
Maria Thelma Guadiz: It met all our needs and our future needs, the needs of our children, the next generation and hopefully for many, many, many generations to come.
Nan: Houses of worship are filled with memories that have strengthened and inspired the faith of members of the Church Of Christ today. The future of the Church Of Christ is bright, with ongoing construction, renovations, and new property acquisitions laying the groundwork to establish deep roots in communities, demonstrating its expanding presence and lasting impact around the world.
Nan: Thanks for joining us on this episode of Blueprint, where in the end, everything is part of God’s plan.
