Vox Church will open its newly renovated Hartford location this weekend, marking the completion of a seven-month project to transform a historic downtown building that had sat largely vacant for more than 15 years.
The non-denominational church will hold its first services at 129 Lafayette St. on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., according to an announcement Thursday. The congregation previously met at Infinity Music Hall on Front Street.
The church purchased the 22,490-square-foot Georgian Revival-style building from the state in June 2024 for $750,000. The four-story structure, built in phases between 1923 and 1930, originally served as the Second Church of Christ Scientist before the state acquired it in 2008 for roughly $2.3 million.
“Vox Church is honored and excited to have a permanent home in the city of Hartford,” Lead Pastor Justin Kendrick said. “Our passion is to serve the city and make a positive difference for its residents.”
To mark the opening, the church is partnering with local ministry Street Church to donate one meal to people experiencing homelessness for every first-time guest who attends a Sunday service through Easter Sunday.
Campus Pastor Jeremiah Johnson said the permanent facility will allow the church to expand its community service efforts beyond its current programming.
The church’s Hartford congregation has operated since 2016, and Johnson noted the church has served the city for nine years.
Founded in 2011 in New Haven, Vox Church now operates 13 locations across Connecticut and southern Massachusetts.
