'Big dreams': Here's why Easton church is opening a community center in downtown Taunton

TAUNTON — An Easton church is gearing up to open a community center in downtown Taunton that will include a coffee bar and lounge with a "living room atmosphere," a ice cream walk-up window, a roof patio deck and a youth center.

"We want to be in a place that fosters a community of all sorts," said the Rev. David Stratton, pastor at New Hope Christian Chapel in South Easton.

Stratton said church leaders plan to open the community center, called "The Center on Main," in the former Forman's Bridal Department store in downtown Taunton.

Stratton's wife Michelle Stratton said The Center on Main would fulfill the church's goal of "going out into the community to make a difference."

"We want to be in a place anybody can walk into," said Michelle, director of The Center on Main.

She said the community center "would be separate from the church."

David Stratton said New Hope Christian Chapel has a burden for helping people in urban areas develop positive relationships with each other.

"Our church is in a very secluded location," he said.

New Hope Christian Chapel is located on Meadow Hill Court in South Easton.

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David Stratton said the storefront is undergoing renovations to accommodate the community center and to relocate New Hope Christian Chapel into the building.

"It will be a community center for all," he said. "We will meet here for church services on Sunday morning and use it as a community center for the rest of the week."

He said having The Center on Main in downtown Taunton would exemplify how Jesus cared about people during his earthly ministry.

"This place will be about our values of working and sharing with people," he added.

Michelle Stratton said church leaders hope to open the community center in 2024.

"We hope the church will be able to hold services there during early spring," she added.

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Center on Main plans to have a coffee bar and lounge

David Stratton said church leaders hope to have a coffee shop managed by a local business inside The Center On Main to attract visitors.

"It will create a warm and inviting place," he said.

Michelle Stratton said visitors would have a lounge area to enjoy coffee and conversations with friends or get acquainted with people they don't know.

"We're going to have a variety of seats here," she said. "We will have couches, high-top chairs, benches and many tables."

David Stratton said he envisions "a living room atmosphere in the lounge."

"We want it to look like a home and be a place where people can engage in conversations," with each other," added Michelle Stratton.

David Stratton said church leaders hope to have an ice cream walk-up window near the community center entrance for people to buy desserts.

Michelle Stratton said church leaders have plans to add a roof patio deck for visitors to enjoy.

"We have big dreams," she added.

Center On Main to host art displays, music performances

Michelle Stratton said the lounge could accommodate community bands and singers.

"We envision having live music, poets and art," she said.

She said she envisions having "an artistic maker's market" selling local art, handmade items, and various crafted products.

"We could give them space here to show their creativity and sell it," she said.

Center On Main to have a youth center

Michelle Stratton said the plan is to create a youth center for young people between ages 12-16 to enjoy on the second floor of the community facility.

"We want to have a place where kids can hang out," she said. "We envision kids having a place where they can do homework or talk with each other."

She said the plans for the youth center include having entertainment, including movies and music.

"We will have multi-purpose rooms where there can be some tutoring in school subjects along with art or knitting classes," she said.

Center on Main is expected to benefit Taunton

Tux Towne Bejarano owner Jose Bejarano owns the building where The Center On Main will be located.

"It's definitely something the city could use," he said. "It (building) had been vacant for almost four years."

David Stratton said he envisions businesses that have employees who work remotely will want to rent the community center to hold staff meetings.

Michelle Stratton said Mayor Shaunna O'Connell's administration has done "a lot of investing in the city" to encourage economic growth.

"Taunton is on the way up," Michelle Stratton said.

O'Connell said a $40,000 grant from Taunton's Office of Economic Development's Sign and Façade Program was awarded to The Center On Main "for improvements to their building."

"I'm thrilled that Rev. David Stratton and his wife Michelle have chosen to open a community center downtown that will create a local meeting place and opportunities for social and community engagement," O'Connell said.

O'Connell said her administration has worked hard to enhance economic development by strengthening Taunton's Rent Rebate Program, creating a Façade Grant Program, and helping developers and commercial property owners access state grants.

"Strategic and impactful development in downtown Taunton is essential for the long-term economic stability of the city," she said.

"Our vision for a vibrant downtown includes having a variety of businesses, services, attractions and activities for people to enjoy. The Center on Main will provide diverse activities and programs that will attract people to spend time downtown and bolster economic activity for our local businesses."

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton community center: Easton church to open The Center on Main