The Zion Baptist Church of Clarion will have a sister church opening up in Karns City called Zion of Petroleum Valley.

The new church, which plans to open on Easter, will have the same programming as the Clarion church — just in a different location.

"It is called a multisite model; it is one church at different locations," said the Rev. Trent Kirkland, pastor at Zion Baptist Church of Clarion.

The new church will occupy a building formerly owned by the Southern Baptist Convention and operated for about 20 years as Christ Gospel Baptist Church.

Before that, the 10-acre parcel was occupied by a drive-in theater.

"We hope to build on the legacy and heritage of the site," Kirkland said.

"We told (the former owners) our plans and they asked us 'How soon do you want it?'"

Zion Baptist of Clarion, because it is made up of members from theKarns City area, decided to add a church near there for those members who have been driving 40 minutes to services. The church took over the empty building about two years ago.

Cara Henry, 37, of Karns City, is one of those who commute to Clarion.

"I know of quite of few of us that travel up there, and we are excited for the opening here," Henry said.

But before services begin, upgrades are being made. Kirkland said the congregation has spent nearly $500,000 on remodeling so far.

Upgrades include removing mold and gutting the basement, adding carpeting, remodeling the bathrooms and adding technology that includes speakers and a projection system.

Kirkland said there are 30 to 40 people committed to attending Petroleum Valley, which will be led by the Rev. Joe Olkowski, who moved from California to preach there.

Olkowski was a pastor at a church in Las Gatos, Calif., and was also a teacher and administrator at a Christian school in that area.

Moving from the San Jose area was a big decision for Olkowski, but he liked what he saw in Zion.

"We saw what was happening in the Zion Church and we wanted to be a part of the process," he said.

Western Pennsylvania was a big change for him as San Jose is one of California's rising cities.

"There is actual space here, it's not crowded or high intensity. Sure, I'll miss the convenience of things, but I am enjoying things here," Olkowski said.

He said there were some anxious moments involved in the move, but he is looking forward to the new challenge.

"I don't know what is going to happen: Are we going to fit in?

"Will 20 or 200 people show up? Who knows? But I am excited and enthusiastic about the challenge."

For more information on either church, visit www.zionlife.com.