A small Leola church has decided to relocate, allowing Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories to purchase the church’s space in order to expand its offices.
Outpouring Church of Lancaster has sold its 19,500-square-foot space at 333 W. Main St. to Eurofins for $1.3 million, courthouse records show.
Part of the former Meadowbrook Farmers Market building and once the home of the Conestoga Valley Community Center, the space was acquired by the young church in 2012.
But the church decided to move closer to Lancaster city, where it feels called to minister to the homeless and others its members meet on the street, said Pastor Ed Garner on Monday.
“We really have a heart for continuing to make a positive difference there. We’ve seen amazing things take place,” he said.
As an interim step, Outpouring Church will begin worshipping in the Calvin & Janet High Fine Arts Center of Lancaster Mennonite School on Sunday, Oct. 28.
This will get the church nearer downtown Lancaster while taking the pressure off its ongoing search for a permanent location, saving the church money and producing rental income for Lancaster Mennonite, Garner explained.
The Leola building is about seven miles from downtown Lancaster. The Lancaster Mennonite campus, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, is about four miles away from downtown Lancaster.
Outpouring Church was started by Garner and his wife Patty, who also is a pastor, in 2010. About 130 to 150 people attend on the average Sunday.
Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories likewise sees advantages to its upcoming move.