JEFFERSON VALLEY, N.Y.—A new nondenominational Christian church has launched in Jefferson Valley, aiming to foster a sense of fellowship and community connection. Freedom Chapel, planted by longtime Mahopac resident Pastor Julio Vazquez, 55, began holding 10 a.m. Sunday services in March at Jefferson on the Lake (489 E. Main St.). A ribbon cutting and official grand opening is planned for June 8—a step toward establishing the church’s presence in the community. As Vazquez works to grow the congregation, with the long-term goal of securing a dedicated building, he hopes the current venue’s scenic setting and the church’s message will draw people in.
A pastor for more than 15 years and a DJ by trade, Vazquez said he felt the calling as a teenager and has been deeply encouraged by the diversity of people attending Freedom Chapel services, with worshipers from a wide range of faith backgrounds joining in. Many have found something different and meaningful at the new church, he said, adding that the goal is to make Freedom Chapel a vibrant and welcoming presence in the community—a beacon of light offering connection, faith, and a sense of belonging.
Halston Media spoke with Vazquez, a father of two, earlier this month. For more information about Freedom Chapel, visit freedomchapelny.com.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Why is your church called Freedom Chapel?
We want to make sure that people come to a personal relationship with God first. When you have that in your life, everything else follows. The community piece comes in, and it becomes easier when you’re surrounded by people who share your values and faith. There’s a shared sense of peace. We come together, and it becomes easier, first because of our love for God. God has made us free, and because of that, we can come together and gather in that environment of freedom.
I think it's important to be community-oriented, and not just in a space where we close ourselves off—this space is for everyone. This is a movement.
What inspired you to bring your ministry to Jefferson Valley?
Something vibrant, something different, where people can come, gather, and grow as a community, be able to meet other people, and grow in their faith in God. It’s a nondenominational Christian church. We welcome people from all walks of life to come in and gather. In the short amount of time we’ve been open, a real sense of community has grown.
How did you get started?
Then came the search for a place. One of the first places that came to mind was Jefferson on the Lake. It’s a beautiful venue I’d been to before, and I remember thinking, “That would be a great space for a church.” When the opportunity presented itself, we reached out and asked about availability.
So that was one part of it. Then I had to think about a setup team on Sunday mornings to set up equipment, arrange chairs, clean the space, and get everything ready for service. That means arriving two hours early—so if service is at 10 a.m., they’re showing up at 8 a.m. to set up.
And after that, of course, comes the breakdown—so we needed a serve team dedicated to handling both setup and cleanup. I started working on all of that sometime in February, and by March 9, we held our first service.
Was it easy to find people to help you?
When word got around that I was doing a church plant, people came and were drawn to the purpose, the mission, and the vision of the church. It wasn’t difficult—it was smooth; we had people with a heart and a desire to reach out to the community and let them know this is a space where you belong, where you can come, receive, be edified, and be built up—a place where you can be rooted in your faith, despite all the life challenges we face each day.
We provide a space where people can connect with God and be part of a growing community. So, it was actually easy—it wasn’t as difficult as the first time I planted a church in the South Bronx [in 2010]. People came aboard and wanted to be part of this. We currently have a serve team of more than 20 people who rotate and help with that piece.
What can someone expect from a service at Freedom Chapel?
It is said that when people walk into a space, the way they are greeted and how other people make them feel impacts whether they will return. That first impression is very important. When we began to plan what Freedom Chapel would look like, we decided that we wanted to have a hospitality area. We have a coffee station and provide a cold breakfast and snacks.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.—they can come in, grab a cup of coffee, and then just engage in conversation with one another before the 10 a.m. service, featuring vibrant music, a segment of worship, and the preaching. It’s very different—not your traditional church structure.
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