Belfry
Bargains, the Thrift Shop ministry at the Church of the Messiah, has just completed its 22nd year of operation.
The mission remains, set in
Christian fellowship, to offer the wider community pre-owned items at affordable
prices and to see that all proceeds go to outreach projects.
We are located on Route 202, just south of Sumneytown Pike, next to the William Penn in Gwynedd, PA (see "Map & Directions"). As you enter the Church of the Messiah property, we are located in the white house (bear right as you enter the driveway). The Shop is currently closed for the summer and will open after Labor Day. The hours open are Mon. – Sat. from 10 am ‘til 1 pm, from early September through the first week of June. Holidays are observed at Thanksgiving, Christmas time, Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, Easter (including the Monday after Easter) and Memorial Day.
All merchandise comes in as donations and the sorting, cleaning, tagging, displaying, advertising, selling and “’in-kind” distribution is handled by a marvelous group of about 60 volunteers.
Customers come from near and far, and virtually all walks of life. An atmosphere of Christian fellowship and caring is a precious part of the Belfry Bargains experience for workers and shoppers alike.
All money earned is disbursed to charitable causes on a monthly basis by Messiah’s Outreach Committee.
Every effort is made to put useful items in the right hands. Weekly Cancer Mission collections and cooperation with other thrift shops insure that things donated are not wasted. Varied and growing connections with local endeavors have fostered meaningful “in-kind” donations such as educational toys and games to a Children’s Learning Center in Norristown, a hat rack and wigs to the Wellness Place, blankets and coats to the homeless in Philadelphia, prom gowns to the Fairy Godmother Program, clothing and household items to folks whose home burned down and to clients in the programs of Ambler Interfaith. Twice a year, the guests at the Norristown Mental Health Luncheons are treated to a special shopping spree.
The shop is a many hands and hearts ministry. Sharing the work is the only way it can exist. Administrative tasks are handled by a Management Team of seven area coordinators, while Daily Captains and Desk Persons take responsibility for the hours of operation on their assigned day.
New this year is email announcement of sale dates. If you would like to be notified of our half price sales, please send your email address, with "Belfry Bargains Email List" as the subject, to: "office@messiahgwynedd.org" and we will add you to the list.
Marsha Althouse, Shop Director
Belfry Bargains phone number, during shop hours, is : 215.699.3441.