Welcome to 52 Sumner! We are devoted to creating an atmosphere where members of the community can experience the arts. 52 Sumner is a non profit organization located at the former Faith United Church at (of course) 52 Sumner Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts. Our performing arts venue was created with the goal of making the arts, including live performances, affordable and accessible to the local community in our beautiful space.

52 Sumner, where people can come together and enjoy live performances by various artists in addition to other events hosted here, was not the original plan. It took time, creativity, and a lot of hard work to bring it to life.

Our story began with Angela Park and her search for a location for her after school programs. While seeking a new location for her business, Angela toured the former Faith United Church which had been shuttered for several years and was for sale. The location was purchased and the stage was set, but the full play was not yet written. Angela had determined that the building would suit the needs of her afterschool programs, although at the time she was unsure how to best utilize the sanctuary of the former church. Our story continued to grow from there.

Over time the scene was set for the next act and things were set into motion. With the help of some creative minds, the sanctuary was determined to be an ideal space to host live performances and create a place where people could come together to enjoy these cultural experiences.

Thus 52 Sumner was founded and created from the efforts of Springfield Performing Arts Venture Inc. After over a year of renovations, including a new sound system and lighting, refinished floors and new paint for the walls, the sanctuary area of the former church is now home to a unique performance venue. We are 2024 recipients of the Springfield Preservation Award from the Springfield Preservation Trust for our restoration of the 125 year old building. The award recognizes individuals and groups who work to preserve the unique architecture of Springfield and we are honored to be chosen to receive this award.

Here you can see live performances and experience the arts in the recently renovated location. The first event was hosted on December 7, 2023 with admission being a new unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection. Since then we have hosted several experiences including a night the Screaming Orphans, an Irish band, and the Irish step-dancers who opened for them as well as DAR & the Rebel Monks who are following a salsa dance instructor. The events hosted here are more than simply a night of listening to music, they are an immersive experience in the arts as well as a cultural experience.

Our goal is to introduce and immerse people in the arts. 52 Sumner was designed to create a space for members of the local community to interact with the arts in new and vibrant ways. The performances hosted at 52 Sumner not only provide entertainment, they also help raise money to help fund other programming held here. Our updated venue hosts a variety of live performances with the goal of making these performances an experience for the members of the community to enjoy. The funds raised from events that are hosted here are used to offset the cost of classes offered for those in the community. When you come to an event at 52 Sumner you are not only enjoying a live performance, you are also helping others to gain access to, and appreciation for, the arts.

Help support Springfield Performing Arts Venture Inc. with your donation.