Local Church Celebrates New Beginning as Community Organization

The board of directors of a new nonprofit organization has been busy for the
last several months preparing to open its doors to the public on November 14
as “The Bridge at 211.”

The members of the First Universalist Society of Salem voted last spring to
merge with the First Parish in Beverly and transform and repurpose their
lovingly preserved building at 211 Bridge Street in Salem. The new building
has been named “The Bridge at 211,” and its board is dedicated to honoring
the church community’s commitment to outreach and service as well as
providing a community destination where people can gather for artistic,
cultural, and social events.

Throughout the afternoon, you can tour the building, enjoy the type of
programming and events for adults and children that will be happening at
“The Bridge” in the future, learn more about the organizations that the
nonprofit will be serving, such as the Salem Food Pantry, and hear about the
rich history of the structure and its surrounding neighborhood.

With its grand meetinghouse, Federal style wood carvings, historic Hutchings
organ, and many spaces for meetings, receptions and performances, “The
Bridge” will offer programming to the public in its unique spaces as well as
subsidies to various nonprofit organizations that have called the building
home.

The open house and ribbon cutting to showcase the repurposed building on
Nov. 14 from 2-5 p.m. is free and open to the public. For more
details, go to www.thebridge211.org. Anyone interested in participating in
upcoming events, or programming or partnership opportunities, contact the
office at info@thebridge211.org.