Over the weekend, the Legendary Movement Church announced they are the new owners of the El Campanil Theatre.
In a video posted online, Lead Pastor Eli Herrera shared it was “closing day” and are the new owners of the El Campanil Theatre. The video shows them at Old Republic Title Company signing the paperwork.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet, God is still moving. God is still doing. Rivertown will be saved for Jesus,” said Herrera.
According to Vanguard Properties, the property was sold on Sept. 24, 2026 and the sell price was $1.45 million for the 10,936 sqft property built in 1928.
City of Antioch, Others Blindsided by Church Purchase
Over the past month, after Herrera released a video saying they were raising funds to purchase the El Campanil, it caused a divide in the city – bringing people together in an attempt to keep the El Campanil as an entertainment hub.
The City, including Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Don Freitas said they had been in discussions about the building – meanwhile, Monica Wilson had been asking to place the El Campanil on an council agenda since late 2024.
In the Be Curious Contra Costa Podcast, Wilson said she initially became concerned after hearing rumors that the historic building could be purchased and demolished She said she began requesting discussions about historic protections in approximately 2024, but the issue never reached the council agenda despite requests from multiple councilmembers.
Wilson said she did not know why the item was never scheduled, noting that the mayor and city manager generally finalize council agendas. She also said an earlier reported offer involving the theatre never reached her as a councilmember. With the theatre’s future now uncertain, Wilson said the city attorney is working on the issue and state representatives have also expressed interest in finding a solution.
Meanwhile, in her episode of the Be Curious Contra Costa podcast, Torres-Walker said she was unaware of the theatre’s 2023 sale when it occurred and that the matter had not come before her at the council dais.
She explained that she and Mayor Pro Tem Don Freitas subsequently began working with city staff to explore whether Antioch could acquire the property, including whether development impact fees could legally be used toward a purchase.
According to Torres-Walker, discussions were underway with city staff and the property owner or broker when she learned the theatre had entered escrow. The city had not reached the point of submitting an offer. With the possibility of the building becoming privately owned by a church, she suggested opening discussions with the prospective owner about preserving the theatre’s historical character and continuing some form of public performances.
Previous
- Sept. 11, 2026 – Letter: Former El Campanil Executive Director Urges Antioch to Step In to Save Historic Theatre
- Aug 31, 2026 – Save Our Stage: El Campanil Theatre Foundation to Host a Community Conversation
- Aug 20, 2026 – Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation Shares Community Update
- Aug. 18, 2026 – Antioch: Church Looks to Raise Funds to Purchase El Campanil Theatre
