True North Church Opens New Facility in Vineland
The 950-seat church replaces a long-vacant Sears store, providing new worship space for area families.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Commercial
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True North Church opened its new Vineland facility on October 4, 2026, marking the adaptive reuse of a former Sears store. The project converts 70,000 square feet of retail space into a worship center seating 950 attendees.
Why it matters
The project addresses overcrowding at the church’s Mullica Hill headquarters caused by a high volume of Vineland residents. This renovation highlights a growing trend of repurposing vacant big-box retail space for community and religious use.
The church acquired the former retail site for $2.4 million and invested over $5.1 million in 2025 for site upgrades and construction. The facility currently accommodates 950 people within its 70,000-square-foot footprint.
The players
True North Church
A nondenominational congregation based in Mullica Hill that is expanding its regional footprint.
Equip Studio
A design firm specializing in the architectural conversion of religious and community facilities.
The details
Construction crews remediated asbestos present in the legacy retail structure and replaced aging infrastructure including the roof and parking lot storm drainage systems. Equip Studio designed the retrofitted space to convert the dormant building into a modern assembly hall. The renovation process spanned two years to bring the facility up to code for high-capacity public use.
Timeline
2017: The original Sears department store ceased operations.
2024: True North Church purchased the property for $2.4 million.
2025: The organization reported project spending exceeding $5.1 million.
October 4, 2026: The church held its first service at the new location.
The Home Front
This conversion represents the ongoing shift in land use where large, vacant commercial properties are being reclaimed for community infrastructure. It reflects a broader regional trend of repurposing aging retail assets to meet the needs of growing local populations.
Residents should anticipate increased traffic density around the Landis Avenue and Route 47 intersection during weekend and mid-week service times. Families visiting the facility should note that the parking lot and storm drainage systems have been fully upgraded.
The takeaway
The opening of this facility underscores how commercial real estate shifts can physically transform suburban landscapes. Residents interested in regional growth trends can track property rezonings and permit filings through the local planning office.
Further reading
Learn more about local property conversions in the Commercial section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Do you support repurposing vacant retail department stores into community centers or churches in your area?
