From pews
to plates
How a church on Washington Street became a place to train body and soul.
A church on Washington St.
The building at 107 E. Washington St. looks the way a small-town church should: white siding, a steeple and a round stained-glass window facing the street.
Zach Wegner saw more than an empty building. He saw a place where people in Brandon could work out close to home, in a setting that keeps faith at the center. The stained glass stayed. The bell tower stayed. The inside got a new purpose.
Turning a sanctuary into a weight room
The lower level became the main weight room. Rubber flooring went down wall to wall, with a strip of green turf running through the middle for sled pushes, carries and stretching. Racks, benches, plate-loaded machines and free weights filled in around it.
Upstairs holds cardio equipment and more weights. Glass-block windows bring in daylight, and a mural of Samson pushing the pillars apart covers the wall behind the Smith machine with his prayer from Judges 16:28.
Built with family
"I've put a lot of work into this place, with a lot of help from my sister and brother-in-law."
Zach's sister and brother-in-law run Wakeup Whitetail and will soon open The Loft. They pitched in through the renovation, and Zach is quick to thank them and everyone else who has supported the gym so far.
Iron Sanctuary opened its doors on October 31, 2026, with 24/7 access for members from day one.
This is just the beginning
"I plan to keep adding equipment and improving the gym as it grows. I'm excited to be part of helping Brandon grow and giving people a place to work out close to home."
Zach Wegner, ownerThe road so far
The building
Zach takes on the church at 107 E. Washington St. with a plan to turn it into a gym.
The renovation
Flooring, turf, racks, machines, cardio and the Samson mural go in, with family helping along the way.
Doors open
Iron Sanctuary opens on October 31, 2026, with 24/7 member access.
Come see it for yourself
Sign up online in a few minutes, or text Zach to set up a time to come see the gym.