News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Bend Church will have a new location in Cookeville on South Maple Avenue.
Lead Pastor Shane Warren said the church is finalizing a deal for some 40 acres. Warren said the proposed campus would be built in phases.
“We don’t light much of having the land paid off,” Warren said. “As soon as that land is paid off, we’ll begin construction on the first phase, which will be a building approximately 20 to 25 maybe even 30,000 square foot.”
Warren said the first building would include a sanctuary that seats about 700 people. Warren said the goal is to break ground in the summer. Warren said the church later on wants to use the remainder of the land to bring an assisted living facility and medical program to the campus.
“We’re in talks right now with an assisted living program and even a medical clinic that possible may be located on the grounds of the church to provide ministry to the elderly and specific medical needs for those in our community,” Warren said. “That’s just part of the vision.”
Warren said the backside of the property has about 20 acres of woods. Warren said that land might be used for youth ministries. The church currently worships on North Dixie Avenue.
“We are in the process right now with builders and architects,” Warren said. “All the designs are being done and getting ready to engage civil engineers for property planning. We’re hoping that it will move quick. We’re hoping to see this same time next year to be in a facility.”
Warren founded The Bend in 2020 when his family moved back to Cookeville. Warren said the Cookeville campus would be the hub of a greater plan to construct five other locations in Tennessee.
