The old Fred’s building in Sparta will no longer be vacant next year as a local church prepares to move in.
The pharmacy store closed in 2019, and Blessed Hope Baptist Church has purchased the building. Pastor Bryan Simmons said the goal is to open the doors in the summer of 2022.
“Our current location is actually going towards Crossville on the Crossville Highway about two miles out of town from the courthouse is where our current location is,” Simmons said. ‘We’ve outgrown that building parking wise and seating wise.”
Simmons said the church is currently working with an architect on renovation designs. Simmons said the plan is to build a new sanctuary, fellowship hall and several classrooms.
“We own a property real close right there off Turntable. The church owns eight acres there,” Simmons said. “Our original plan was to build a new building there, and actually, we got word that this building was for sale. A lot of niceties as far as this building is concerned. HVAC, electrical and great lit up parking lot.”
Simmons said the current congregation averages about 130 members. Simmons said the new location gives an opportunity to grow with a some 300 person capacity.
“It is all about Jesus,” Simmons said. “The ministry is Christ Jesus crucified at Calvary for our sins, resurrected by the power of God on the third day and our confidence in Jesus Christ. His work on Calvary, an empty tomb and a living savior. Getting folks to Jesus and getting them to heaven when they die and the hope that we have while we’re here, that is what the whole thing is about.”
The old Fred’s building is located at 159 W Turntable Drive.
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