Liberty Theater acquired for church expansion

KALISPELL, MT — The Fresh Life Church has bought the Liberty Theater which it will use to expand the availability of its services. The church already occupies the former Strand Theater which it purchased in 2007. Some citizens had hoped that the theater would become a venue for live music. Although the church is removing the concession stand, it is installing an espresso bar.

Expanding the church’s facilities became a necessity, with Lusko fearing that some people might be dissuaded from attending because of the crowds. Fresh Life closed on the deal, purchasing the Liberty from local developer and Signature Theatre owner Phil Harris, on Sept. 11. Lusko declined to reveal the deal’s details.

As of last week, a crew was hard at work on the Liberty, removing the old concession stand to install a new espresso bar, repairing the roof and deep-cleaning the 500 theater seats. Just one block from the Strand, Lusko said he likes the architecture of the old buildings, and finds the nontraditional facilities are a good fit for his nontraditional church, offering a more inviting venue than standard sanctuaries.

Read more in the Flathead Beacon.