A longtime eyesore in Titusville, abandoned for almost 20 years, is getting new lease on life as a place of prayer.

  • Old Gooding's space in Titusville to become church
  • City Council OKed purchase by Grove City Church
  • Grove City Church spent $750,000 to buy the property

The 55,000-square-foot building, once a Gooding's grocery store, will become the home of the Grove City Church.

The new space is expected to be ready by spring of next year.

"We knew that there was coming a time when we would need to grow our space," Lead Pastor Brad Russell said. "We started this about two years ago, and it's been a journey ever since."

Thanks to a unanimous vote from Titusville City Council in early June, the deal for the space was sealed.

Russell said they want to create a space for the community and believe there is no better place to start than along Harrison Street.


The empty space where a Gooding's grocery store once stood on Harrison Street has been purchased by a church. (News 13)

"In the past two years, we've seen a noticeable growth economically in our community. I like to say we see hope rising," he said. "There is a different atmosphere in the city. People are excited and can see jobs coming in. It's a great place to be," Russell said.

Once complete, the church will have auditorium space that will seat between 600 and 700 people, along with classroom space for adult and youth ministries and activities.

The church bought the property for about $750,000. It expects renovations to cost about $1.2 million.

"We can't wait to see what God is going to continue to do. The best is yet to come" Russell said.