New Coffee Shop, Church Coming to Downtown Trenton

Construction began last week on a new church and coffee shop located at 2714 W. Jefferson Ave. in Downtown Trenton.

Pastor Matt Laginess, 32, of Trenton, helped begin a church called The Bridge in August 2012, and recently purchased a building next to The Perfect Dress to create a place of worship and a coffee shop all in one.

Laginess said The Bridge is an Assemblies of God church that attracts a more youthful following, but doesn't exclude anyone.

Laginess said he anticipates construction to be completed on the church in time for a service on Easter Sunday, March 31, but did not have have an official opening date set for the coffee shop. Construction and costs come from church volunteers.

Laginess said the non-profit coffee shop, expected to be located in the front of the building, will likely feature several different types of coffee and will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday.

"It's a full-service, fully-functioning coffee shop," Laginess said. "On the weekends I want to do open mic nights. I want to bring in local bands. I want to showcase local artists on the walls."

Revenue from the coffee shop will be used by the church, according to Laginess. He said he does not take a salary from the church.

"If we break even by selling coffee, I'll be really surprised," Laginess said. "The point of it isn't to make money. Our goal is to give a space for our community to gather."

Though the building is currently under construction, Laginess and about 50 members of The Bridge's congregation have already begun meeting at 11 a.m. for Sunday service.

To find out more about the church check out The Bridge Trenton Facebook page or contact Pastor Matt Laginess thebridgetrenton@gmail.com.

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