Abandoned Sears Store in Vineland Sells for $2.4 Million, Set to Become New Church Campus

True North Church renovated a Vineland Sears for $2.4 million. The church’s second site with community facilities will be the 75,000-square-foot Route 47 structure.

True North Church of Mullica Hill will open a Vineland campus in autumn 2026. The church’s 900-seat auditorium will host events for kids and teens. The church is family-friendly and community-minded.

After nearly 60 years, Vineland’s Sears closed in 2017. True North Church buys an empty shop and turns it into a community center. Early this year, the Vineland Planning Board approved renovations, allowing construction.

Although renovations continue, True North Church will hold services at Millville’s Lakeside School. Leaders noted that the interim venue offers religious services and events until Vineland opens.

Erich and Joanne Eisenhart founded True North, a nondenominational church, in 2006. Pastor Jesse Eisenhart leads it. Vineland is a deliberate outreach to southern New Jerseyans for the growing church.

Redeveloping the Sears building follows a state-wide trend to utilize abandoned retail locations. After many department stores collapsed, organizations and corporations are looking for new ways to use their huge spaces as community centers, educational facilities, or religious institutions. True North Church shows how adaptive reuse may help communities and rebuild decaying commercial property.

True North Church in Vineland will provide spiritual, educational, and community programs in fall 2026. The concept preserves local heritage and showcases the trend of turning stores into community spaces.

Sources:

• Vineland Planning Board

• True North Church official announcements

• Local business and property transaction reports