Great Falls Center Hosts Weddings for Couples Stranded by Art Factory Closure
Based on reporting by Amanda Lee for News 12 New Jersey.
PATERSON, NJ — The sudden foreclosure and bankruptcy of the Art Factory in Paterson left more than 150 couples without a wedding venue and no refunds. As brides and grooms worked to recover thousands of dollars, venues across North Jersey stepped up to help — among them Servant’s Heart Ministry’s Great Falls Center.
Servant’s Heart Ministry, the nonprofit that recently began hosting weddings at the Great Falls Center, quickly found its calendar filling up, including two weddings in a single weekend. “All of a sudden this weekend, we got an influx of about 35 inquiries here,” organizer Christina Mendez told News 12 New Jersey.
Because the organization focuses on serving underserved communities, it offered a reduced cost for the last-minute wedding parties. “I think they’re really relieved, and it’s still a significant amount for us because we’re a nonprofit,” Mendez said. “So I think it’s beneficial both ways.”
The Great Falls Center was one of several area venues — including the Brownstone House, which temporarily suspended its in-house-catering-only policy — that adjusted to accommodate displaced couples on short notice. For Servant’s Heart Ministry, stepping in reflected the same community-first mission behind its renovation and trades-training work in Paterson.
This recap is based on reporting by Amanda Lee for News 12 New Jersey, published September 26, 2024.
Get involved: To learn about hosting an event at the Great Falls Center, or to support Servant’s Heart Ministry, contact Servant’s Heart Ministry or make a donation.
