Click here for Ski at his leased movie theatre.
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APPLETON - It still has the feel of a big picture theater.
"We just got in here about a week ago," said Jim Skorzewski. But now showing is, Pastor Jim Skorzewski.
"We think the opportunity to do church in an IMAX will just be phenomenal," said Skorzewski.
He's starting up The Core, an outreach ministry of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Freedom in the former home of the Big Picture Theater in downtown Appleton. The targeted audience is a young crowd.
"If we're going to go after the 19-35 year olds, and they're downtown, they'll hit the bar scene. We believe we need to be downtown," said Skorzewski.
Skorzewski says the church will utilize the big screen and offer live music.
"We're going to put a 30 by 90 foot performance platform," said Skorzewski.
The concession area will be transformed into a lobby with coffee, couches and free WiFi for the public to use. The building, opened in 2005, has been vacant since October 2006.
"To see it close down was a big disappointment for us," said Jennifer Stephany, the executive director of Appleton Downtown Inc. "Just to see activity and to get people utilizing that space again is a benefit to downtown."
Pastor Skorzewski says his ministry has a one-year lease on the building, but it's still on the market, with a near $2 million price tag. But he says if the church is successful, and they can fill all 300 seats on a regular basis.
"Maybe God willing we look to purchase," said Skorzewski.
While the official opening is April 19, services have already started; 5:30 Sunday nights.
"I'd love to have you, it'll be great," said Skorzewski.
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GJ - Thirty-year mortgage on $2 million at 6.5% = $14,725 per month.
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Wisc. Movie Theater to Become Church – Permanently
02/12/2009
The former home of the Big Picture movie theater in downtown Appleton, Wisc., is the new branch home of Freedom, Wisc.-based St. Peter Lutheran Church.
Pastor Jim Skorzewski is starting up The Core, a new ministry of the church aimed at 19-to-35 year olds. The movie theater they have purchased has an IMAX screen, which Skorzewski can’t wait to use. In that room, the church will construct a 30-foot by 90-foot performance platform.
The former concession stands will be turned into coffee lounges and cafes with free WiFi.
The official opening is April 19, but the services have started already, meeting at 5:30 p.m. Sunday evenings.
Source:
WWLP.com: Big movie theater to turn into church
