Jentezen Franklin’s megachurch to hold first service in new Atlanta site
Free Chapel, a nondenominational megachurch led by Senior Pastor Jentezen Franklin, is set to hold its inaugural service at its new permanent Midtown Atlanta location on Sunday, January 19, 2025. The church has acquired the former SCADshow theater at 173 14th St N.E., previously owned by the Savannah College of Art and Design.
This marks a significant milestone for Free Chapel, which began its Midtown services in 2018 at Center Stage Theater and later moved to the Woodruff Arts Center in 2019. The new location provides a permanent home for the congregation in the heart of Atlanta. Pastor Franklin expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re excited to be in that community. This is a dream come true. I don’t know if the building will be able to hold all that God can do in that community. We expect to see lives changed for the better through the Gospel.”
The Midtown campus is part of Free Chapel’s broader expansion efforts. The church has multiple campuses across Georgia, including locations in Gainesville, Cumming, Gwinnett, Braselton, and Alpharetta, as well as campuses in South Carolina and California. Collectively, Free Chapel serves approximately 25,000 members.
In addition to the Midtown expansion, Free Chapel has been active in launching new campuses. In January 2021, the church opened a campus in Braselton, Georgia, accommodating 875 people in its sanctuary. The Braselton campus offers a full range of services, including dynamic worship and children’s ministry programs.
Free Chapel’s commitment to growth is also evident in its Vision 2024 initiative, which outlines plans for further expansion and community impact. The church aims to establish additional campuses and enhance its outreach programs, focusing on areas such as prison ministries and disaster relief efforts.
The decision to establish a permanent presence in Midtown Atlanta underscores Free Chapel’s mission to reach diverse communities and provide a spiritual home for individuals from all walks of life. As Pastor Franklin noted, the church is dedicated to making a positive impact through the Gospel, fostering a sense of community and support in the areas it serves.
