A New Jersey church has purchased a long-vacant Sears department store in Vineland and plans to transform it into a second church location that will include community space.

True North Church , based in Mullica Hill, bought the more than 75,000-square-foot building on Route 47 for $2.4 million in 2024, according to Josh Sarracino, associate pastor.

The church expects to open the Vineland campus in the fall of 2026.

When complete, Sarracino said, there will be room for more than 900 people in the main auditorium. The church will also offer youth groups for various ages.

According to its website, the church is non-denominational and led by Pastor Jesse Eisenhart. It was founded in 2006 by Pastors Erich & Joanne Eisenhart.

The Vineland Planning Board approved the project earlier this

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