Unusual spaces: Worshipping in non-traditional settings

Pastor Eric Slack grew up attending church in a traditional sanctuary on Oakwood Avenue.

Now, he leads worship services out of an event space in downtown Toledo.

“That's still part of my DNA; I do miss it sometimes,” he said. “Now I'm in a different place and doing a different type of ministry. I think that evolution will definitely be able to transform some lives and do some good in the community.”

Pastor Slack opened New Creation Ministries Church in September. Feeling the need to plant an urban church, he connected with The Summit on the corner of Summit and Monroe streets. The event space, complete with its stage, sound, lighting, and screen, is “perfect for our presentation,” the pastor said. And it has a “nice, cozy feeling” for the 15 to 20 people who attend each week.

Non-traditional spaces

Pastor Bill Herzog also found a unique space for his church.

Vineyard Church holds weekly services out of Rustbelt Coffee. It previously shared space with a YMCA daycare in Perrysburg before deciding in 2019 to relocate to Toledo — a significant downsize, the pastor said. Vineyard Church's first location was at the former Hickory Farms headquarters on Reynolds Road.

"It was like a barn; it was really non-religious,” Pastor Herzog said. “This kind of does the same thing. We love music, we have great worship, a very low-key style of church. So actually the coffee shop fits us well — other than it's a small space." Between 40 and 65 people will attend Sunday morning services.

The pastor’s wife, Barb Herzog, said Rustbelt plans to renovate the second and third floors of its building on Ontario Street, which would allow Vineyard to set up a more permanent space on the third floor. The leaders have streamlined their setup procedures to about 30 minutes.

Even with its currently limited space, Vineyard is able run trainings and programs, in addition to worship, out of the coffee shop, which also serves as a gathering place for other church leaders, non-profits, and businesses.

In a similar way, while unsuspecting on the outside, the building at 2214 Monroe St. near the Toledo Museum of Art is a renovated and vibrant space used for faith activities by multiple groups. It’s owned by First Alliance Church, across the street, as its fellowship hall.

“The space is simply not just sitting week after week or for week-long periods without being used,” associate pastor Donald Smith said. “The space has a purpose, and in this particular case it is multipurpose. We are delighted that the space can be used for a number of venues.”

A therapist with Christian Care Connection, which leases from several churches across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, is based out of part of the building.

First Alliance Pastor Kirk Schneemann’s close relationship with local pastors has opened the doors for Will Henderson and Joshua James to get their own churches started.

Pastor Henderson in 2022 planted L.E.A.D. Community Church at the Monroe Street building. It’s since grown from virtually nothing to welcoming 30 to 40 worshippers each week. He used the fellowship hall for one year before relocating to a storefront in Diamond Plaza on S. Reynolds Road.

“God has used that place in some great ways; a lot of kingdom work has happened in that facility,” Pastor Henderson said. “I'm glad we got a chance to be a part of it.

“That was like our incubator, our launching pad. It was a huge blessing for us.”

Pastor James has led Encounter Church out of the fellowship hall for two years. While he’d be open to another building, he’s happy being “in the gritty” of downtown. He’s also noticed a shift where people are looking more toward grassroots churches.

“I think a new church experience is not necessarily like heresy or disrespecting the foundation that was laid. I honor that and I am thankful for that and I grew up in that,” he said. “I'm just pivoting with a culture on how to be effective.”

Church rentals

Sometimes these leased-out spaces are found right in another church.

Christine Palmer, director of operations at Collingwood Presbyterian Church, said the church has for decades offered its space at below-market rates to other congregations and non-profits. A museum, a music studio, and a church currently make use of some of the many open spaces. The Old West End church has previously been home to some other congregations as well, she said.

“We've had many organizations start up in our building,” Palmer said. “Our prices are low so that they can get started. We want to support their mission and their projects.”

Meanwhile, the church is working on a million-dollar project to turn a large portion of its building into a wedding and event venue, which Palmer said will help supplement the cost of the building. Especially as a historic building, the congregation wants to keep it maintained and in use.

“We have so much space that we want to be used by the public,” Palmer said, noting the building has a chapel, auditorium, gym, conference rooms, and more. “By turning this into a community center, we’ll be able have the public use our building more, as well as still remain a church.”

Faith Lutheran Church in South Toledo had been struggling financially when its previous tenant moved out last year. Pastor Jim Martin is excited that a new renter, My Achievement Center, a behavioral development agency, moved into Faith’s classroom spaces last month.

“We're glad that our facility can be a good instrument in helping shape the lives of young kids,” Pastor Martin said. “It's really good to hear all the kids’ voices and you just sense the energy that's going on with 60, 70, 80 kids ... doing what kids do.”

In the past, the YMCA rented space from Faith, and Toledo Christian once held an afterschool program there.

Rental income helps fuel not only building utilities but outreach ministries — food and personal needs pantries, a monthly hot meal, and a community garden — which Pastor Martin said are essential to the surrounding community.

Renting a space is also financially beneficial to young churches, helping them gain stability before launching out. Pastor James noted the small fee to First Alliance Church is nothing compared to what it would cost to maintain a church building. Pastor Slack anticipates staying at The Summit for the foreseeable future because of the low cost and because the downtown location yields the diverse population he wants to serve.

“Jesus did most of his ministry and miracles outside of the temple,” Pastor Slack said. “I am a firm believer in that we should take Christ to the community so that we could show his love and show his power to people outside of the church.”

Pastor Smith at First Alliance echoed the idea of church being more than the building.

“It's not bricks and mortar,” he said. “Church is actually comprised of the people of God who are members of the body of Christ.”

Several local pastors also noted that not having their own church space forces them to partner with other local congregations or ministries.

“We might be of different denominations, but we are all followers of Christ,” said Palmer, of Collingwood Presbyterian Church. “And we welcome all to worship.”