The Harvest Church located at 705 Juniper Street invites the community to join in its grand opening Sunday, Dec 9 from 2-6 p.m.

The facility, built back in the 50s, was home to the Assembly of God church, which disbanded a couple years back.

“The church closed about two years ago due to a lack of parishioners,” Doug Knox, pastor of Harvest Church, said. “The building sat empty for about 13 months until the District asked my wife and I to come out and reopen it.”

Harvest Church is still under the Assembly of God umbrella, but Knox envisions it to be more of a nondenominational sect.

“We want to make this a more relaxed gathering,” he said. “A lot of people have been hurt in churches, so we are trying to make this less deep-rooted in tradition — although traditions are good.”

Harvest Church has been operating for about five months and is taking a slow approach to growth.

“I met with some of the other pastors in the community and told them we are not trying to recruit any of their members,” Knox said. “Most of our members have left a church at one time or another and have returned here after a number of years.”

Harvest Church offers English only services. The assembly meets Sundays at 10 a.m. only.

“We don’t offer a mid-week service, but we do provide free evening meals on Thursday’s from 6-7 p.m., followed by a youth meeting that lasts until 8 p.m.

A free barbecue and pulled pork sandwiches will be provided at the grand opening.