For $1 million, The Church at Bradenton buys next door

BRADENTON -- About 50 years ago, The Church at Bradenton missed out on a chance to buy nearly 5 acres next to its 43rd Street campus.

At the time, financing the purchase from the land's owner, the 43rd Street Church of Christ, didn't fit into the church's plans. The congregation took a pass.

But last summer, when the property at 2300 43rd St. W. went up for sale again, The Church at Bradenton was the first to make an offer.

On Feb. 4, the church bought the land and two church structures the 43rd Street Church of Christ has since built there for little more than $1 million. The transaction, brought on by shrinking membership at the selling church, will give The Church at Bradenton more elbow room for its programs, said the Rev. Ansil Abney.

The church plans to move its K-6 Christian elementary school, Sunshine Academy, into the two-story, 12,174-square-foot main campus building on the newly

acquired property. The church's student ministry will also occupy the building, Abney said.

Those moves will open up office space at the church's main campus, which is made up of six buildings totaling about 51,000 square feet, according to Manatee County records. Abney said the freed up space will be used to start a Christian counseling program.

Additional outdoor space that comes with the purchase will add to facilities available for a summer camp the church hosts. The camp attracts about 120 youths every year.

The second structure on The Church at Bradenton's new property, a fellowship hall, will host church social events. It will also be the home of what remains of the 43rd Street Church of Christ congregation for the next two years. Members of that church will hold their worship services there at no cost.

Abney said making the space available was the neighborly thing to do.

"We've been side by side with the 43rd Street church for 50 years," he said.

Abney said about 375 people attend his church's worship services every week.

Matt M. Johnson, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7027 or on Twitter @MattAtBradenton. ly

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 11:48 PM with the headline "For $1 million, The Church at Bradenton buys next door ."