At a press conference today, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and American Bible Society President and CEO Roy Peterson announced that American Bible Society, one of the nation’s first and most enduring nonprofits, will relocate its national headquarters to the historic center of Philadelphia, an area often called the most historic square mile in America.

The move comes after nearly 200 years in New York City. (The ministry will celebrate its bicentennial in 2016.) While American Bible Society will maintain a presence in New York, its headquarters will relocate to Philadelphia, bringing together staff from current offices in both New York and Valley Forge.

“ We are thrilled that we will be starting a third century of service headquartered here in Philadelphia,” said Peterson. “Home to America’s first hopes as a new nation, Philadelphia is now home to a very bright future for American Bible Society.”

Peterson said the city was selected based on a number of factors, including strategic collaboration opportunities, affordability and livability. Coincidentally, one of the ministry’s founders and its first president, Elias Boudinot, was a native son of Philadelphia.

The new American Bible Society headquarters will be located at 401 Market Street in Philadelphia’s historic district. Ministry offices will encompass nearly 100,000 square feet on the 8th and 9th floors of the building. In addition, American Bible Society has proposed creating a Bible Discovery Center on the first floor, as well as a conference center, Rare Scriptures Depository and scholarly working library on the concourse level of the building. The new Bible Discovery Center will provide quick access to 5th Street, the center point of Independence Mall, and will add a new dimension to the historic area, sharing American Bible Society’s uniquely American story.

“Philadelphia is a place where businesses and nonprofits receive a warm reception,” said Nutter. “On behalf of the City of Philadelphia, we’re honored to welcome American Bible Society to its new home.”

The ministry anticipates opening the doors of its new offices this summer, with the Bible Discovery Center opening being explored for 2016.

“For 20 decades, American Bible Society has worked to make the Bible available where needed most so that all may experience its life-changing message,” said Peterson. “As we work toward the goal of having 100 million Americans engaging with God’s Word and 100 percent of the world’s languages open for Bible engagement, our new Philadelphia headquarters will become the launching pad for Bible ministry in the U.S. and around the world.”

About American Bible Society

Since 1816, American Bible Society has worked to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. One of the nation’s first and most enduring ministries, today’s American Bible Society provides resources across a variety of platforms enabling first-time readers and seasoned theologians alike to engage with the best-selling book of all time. For more information, visit AmericanBible.org.

Read the full press release here.