A historic East Bay venue that has hosted performances and community events for nearly a century could soon have a new owner, raising concerns among residents about the theater’s future. The El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s Rivertown district is currently in escrow to be purchased by a local church, with the sale potentially closing as early as October. Community members gathered at the venue for a public meeting to discuss the impending transition and raise awareness about the sale. “I think we need to start mobilizing people to let them know this place is being sold,” one community member said during the meeting. “I don’t think everybody knows that.” The property fell into financial struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic and was sold to an out-of-state owner. It went back on the market nine months ago. Last month, Legendary Movement Church raised the down payment necessary to acquire the building. For residents and preservationists, the sale threatens the last remaining venue of its kind in the area. “This is the last remaining theatre in our city that’s being operated as a theatre,” said Sharon Sobel Idul, president of the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation. Local residents expressed heartbreak over the potential loss of community programming and shared personal connections to the landmark. “There’s no other place to have music revues, plays, this is the last one left,” said Antioch resident Lisa Schmidt. “We grew up here…first dates here…we did recitals here,” added Antioch resident Michelle Fanucchi. Eli Herrera, lead pastor of Legendary Movement Church, attended the community meeting to hear residents’ concerns directly. He emphasized that the church aims to support the local area, though church services and events will take priority once the deal is complete. “This is the message I’ve given our church. We’re not a church in the city, we’re a church for the city,” Herrera said. Herrera noted that while the church wants to work with the community, external events will need to adapt to the new owner’s calendar. “Like any owner that takes over a building…when you go in its your house, we’re not fitting into the schedule they have because otherwise they would be purchasing the building,” Herrera said. The property remains in escrow, and the current owner hopes to finalize the sale by October. ...read more read less