The Bradford Salvation Army will have its first church service
at its new location on Jackson Avenue Easter Sunday.
Capts. Henry and Deborah Weigner -ðstanding at the former Temple
Beth El Tuesday, among plastic-covered furniture, ladders, paint
buckets and other tools – told The Era they will open their doors
to the public at their new location in about two weeks.
“Sunday will be our last service at the (Kennedy Street)
location,” Deborah Weigner said. “It’s going to be kind of
bittersweet.” The following Sunday, Easter, will mark the first
service at the Jackson Avenue location, she said, which will be
formally named the Bradford Corp and Community Center.
A dedication and open house is slated for the weekend of April
14, with the dedication ceremony and open house April 14 and church
services April 15, she said.
The Weigners said the dedication will start at 2 p.m. with the
“Parade of Witness.” It is Salvation Army tradition for the
officers and other organization heads to march in formation from
the old location to the new, Weigner said. The parade will also
include a Salvation Army brass band and organization vehicles.
The parade of people will stop at the driveway, where there will
be a brief red ribbon-cutting ceremony, Weigner said, and then
continue up to the building for the dedication at 3 p.m., followed
by the open house, which will include tours of the new facility.
Guest speakers, dignitaries, government officials, Salvation Army
officials and previous Bradford Salvation Army officers are
expected to attend.
She said the Bradford Salvation Army is actually returning to
its old neighborhood, adding that in the late 1800s, the corps was
located at 54 Jackson Ave.
The Salvation Army purchased the former Temple Beth El building
and property in February of 2006 after years of research and
preparations, according to Henry Weigner, and is using solely
capital reserve funds bequeathed to the Salvation Army specifically
for this purpose, he said.
He explained the red kettle collections are used toward their
services and programs, and are kept completely separate from the
funds that were used to purchase the property.
The renovations at the new center -ðdone in majority by local
contractors and professionals, he noted -ðhas helped them maximize
their space and utilize it in the most effective manner. They have
removed the stage on the first floor and added several rooms which
can function as classrooms or conference rooms – one is complete
with a kitchenette. The main kitchen has been nearly completely
redone with all-new appliances.
The pews in the chapel are the original ones, but have all been
upholstered. The main door was reduced in size, and a special
office that offers privacy for clients and staff was constructed
near the entrance.
With all the changes, however, the captains said they did not
forget the promise they made to the Jewish community when
purchasing the building – to leave something that speaks to the
history of the building and their heritage. In the main activity
room on the first floor, a raised pattern that forms tablets on one
wall and a menorah on the opposite wall were both left intact. A
carved wooden display case on the first floor was also spared.
The Weigners said they have worked closely with city officials
through the whole process to make sure everything is up to code and
safe.
“We want to make sure this is done right,” Henry Weigner said.
“We think the Salvation Army can and will do better for Bradford at
this facility if they let us.”
“We love it here and we want to give back to the community,”
Weigner said. “We don’t want anyone to feel unwelcome here.”
The pair said the plan to expand their program bill, adding
educational and spiritual programs for residents of all ages. The
class and conference rooms are open to the public to use, they
said.
“A building has to officially belong to someone,” Deborah
Weigner said. “And in this case, the building belongs to (the
Salvation Army), but it is the community’s building as a
whole.”
Henry Weigner said they are looking for outside ideas and
volunteers to start expanding their services at the new location.
Walk-ins will be welcome.
“There are just no words to describe how proud we are to be here
and be part of this community,” he said. “Bradford is an amazing
place, and we want others to see it that way.”