South Jersey church plans to open a new branch in an empty Sears location.
A new religious establishment has opened its doors in Cumberland County, New Jersey, marking a significant development in the local community. True North Church, a nondenominational Christian organization founded two decades ago, has transformed a former Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store into a place of worship. Acquired for .4 million in 2024, the retail facility spans nearly 70,000 square feet and has been largely repurposed for church activities following the store’s closure in 2017.
The decision to repurpose the vacant store comes in the wake of the broader decline of Sears, once a pillar of American retail. After filing for bankruptcy in 2018, the company shuttered numerous locations, leaving only a handful of stores operational, none situated in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. The adaptive reuse of such structures has been increasingly viewed as a viable option for addressing the decline of traditional retail spaces.
True North Church’s new location is strategically positioned at the intersection of Landis Avenue and Route 47 in Vineland and held its inaugural service on October 4. This expansion is part of the church’s broader outreach effort to serve beyond its original base in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County. Seating approximately 950 individuals, the church’s design incorporates 40,000 square feet of the previously commercial space, making it a significant addition to the region.
The lead pastor, Jesse Eisenhart, emphasized the church’s commitment to the community, suggesting that no city in South Jersey is beyond their reach for ministry. As traditional churches face declining memberships, the rise of nondenominational organizations offers an alternative spiritual home for many. A report by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research noted a surge in independent and nondenominational churches from 35,000 in 2010 to 60,000 by 2020.
Significant financial investment was required to adapt the older structure for its new purpose, which involved addressing issues such as asbestos removal and upgrading essential facilities like the roof and parking lot drainage systems. The construction phase lasted two years, as the building’s condition posed various challenges.
Designed by Equip Studio, an architectural firm familiar with True North’s prior locations, the new church is intended not just as a place of worship but also as a community hub. Many congregants have personal ties to the old Sears, reminiscing about past experiences within its walls. True North’s growth exemplifies a trend toward revitalizing former commercial spaces for communal and spiritual use, reinforcing the church’s vision of expanding its reach and influence in the region.
In addition to its new Vineland location, True North is set to expand further, with plans for a 35,000-square-foot addition to its Mullica Hill facility aimed at enhancing its youth programs and accommodating its growing congregation.
