A once-thriving church in Brockton will be bustling again with community activity thanks to efforts of a Lake Hauto couple and their non-profit group. Brian and Shirley Tirpak, of Lake Hauto, purchased the old St. Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church, 214 Green Street, on February 12 of last year from the Diocese of Allentown for $121,100. Since then, both have spent the past 12 months performing needed maintenance and upgrades to the building.
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Founded in 1846 and constructed in 1922, the Brockton church was one of 47 churches closed by the Diocese – starting in 2008.
The Tirpaks, who also own Tirpak Insurance in Hometown, said they initially bought the church with sole intentions of expanding Shirley’s in-home bakery, The Organic Cookie Company. “We immediately realized the building could offer more for the community, and even the county,” said Brian. That is when they decided to create their non-profit group Creative Changes Center For Arts & Humanities (CCCAH), headquartered at the building.
Last Sunday (February 8, 2015), approximately 100 people attended a grand opening celebration for CCCAH in the 4,000 square foot social hall of the building. During the free community event, visitors were treated to baked goods, snacks, refreshments, elegant lighting, and numerous seating options (ranging from stools to plush couches). The event also included a concert performance by duo Maury and Tim.

“Currently, all CCCAH events are being held in the social hall, with future expectations of using the rest of the building by June,” said Shirley, who currently serves as President of the group. She added that they are planning multiple family-oriented events and activities at the center, to include paint workshops, arts and crafts workshops, bands/concerts, lectures and monthly Coffee House socials. Brian added that the social hall is now available for low-cost rental for parties or other events.
“It is something different,” said Bill Strauch of Coaldale, who attended Sunday’s grand opening with friends, family and other church members. “This provides added hope and a good change for the community.”
In addition to the bakery and CCCAH, the Tirpaks said they also hope to manage a Bed and Breakfast from the old church rectory, although no grand opening date has been set yet. They said they plan to call it Whispering Willow Bed & Breakfast.

“This is a way of bringing something back to the community,” said Shirley. “People should be building up, not tearing down. We want this to be the hub of the community, like the church once was.”
For more information about the center, or to volunteer, find them online at http://www.creativechangescenter.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CreativeChangesCenter or contact Shirley via (570) 778-9686 or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shirley.tirpak.

Click HERE to view a related 2008 video of the church closing posted in 2009 on YouTube.
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