Empire community leaders aim to transform former church into a community center

EMPIRE, Ala. —

Community leaders in Empire are striving to convert a former place of worship into a community center, providing a space for elderly residents, families, and community events, despite facing challenges from vandalism and theft.

"It's important I think for our community to have somewhere for the elderly or retired folks to come and fellowship, also for our families to have a place to come and have birthday parties and family reunions," said Robert Bradford, chairman of the Empire Community Center.

The Empire nonprofit has been working for years to establish the center, but last October, the building was broken into, resulting in significant vandalism and theft of copper wiring.

"Last October it was broken into and a lot of vandalism was done, a lot of copper wiring was st