Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Big City Mennonite Church Directory 2013: Volume 1 (Arizona To Iowa)
Big City Mennonite Church Directory 2013: Volume 1 (Arizona To Iowa)
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Listing churches in cities with population >50,000 and density >1,000/square mile
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June 2013
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A publication of the Marginal Mennonite Tract & Propaganda Department. Compiled by Charlie Kraybill on behalf of the Marginal Mennonite Society. Visit the Marginal Mennonite Society Facebook page, and like us.
(Comments, corrections and/or critiques may be sent to: carlosnycity@gmail.com)
Rev. 6/17/13
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What distinguishes an inner-city church from a plain old run-of-the-mill city church? An inner-city church is located in or near a citys downtown area, or in an area as densely populated as the downtown area. Its easily accessible by foot and/or public transportation. (If getting there requires an automobile, its not inner city.) An inner-city church has the potential to attract walk-in visitors, thanks to the flow of pedestrian traffic outside its doors. Mennonite church-planters started moving into big cities in the late 19th century. Initially the motivation was to conduct mission work in high-needs (i.e., ghetto or immigrant) communities. At the time, such communities tended to be in city centers, where the populations were densest, and poorest. As years passed, most inner-city Mennonite missions fell into decline and closed, or moved out. Some were forced to move by urban renewal projects. Others relocated by choice, to accommodate increasingly affluent constituencies. There are a few inner-city missions that survive in their original locations, having evolved into commuter churches (where members no longer live nearby but still travel to the old neighborhood for Sunday services). Most urban Mennonite churches today are located closer to the outskirts than to the centers of their cities. Since theyre within municipal boundary lines they can call themselves city churches. But the surrounding landscapes are usually suburban, even rural, in character. Its amazing how rural the edges of some cities can be. An example would be Kern Road Mennonite Church, a large congregation in the medium-sized city of South Bend, Indiana. A look via Googles Street View shows that Kern Road Mennonite sits on South Bends sparsely populated southern border, across the road from a large cornfield. Not the stereotypical picture of an urban church. Other examples are the two Mennonite churches in Phoenix, Arizona (Sunnyslope Mennonite and First Mennonite), located 8 and 10 miles north of city center. Its a beautiful region, very pleasing to the eye, and the facilities look appealing. But given their remote locations, the chances of these urban churches ever being visited by a pedestrian passerby (a poor person, an auto-free person) are precisely: zero. Further, when urban congregations change locations these days, the direction of the move is almost always away from downtown. An example would be Pittsburgh Mennonite Church, which for 40 years was in the Homewood neighborhood, a few miles east of city center. In 2009, the church moved to new facilities further east, in Swissvale, on the other side of the city line. The group kept their old name, but theyre actually in a suburb of Pittsburgh now rather than in the city itself. Despite all the urban church-planting projects over the years, Mennonite churches in the inner city are few and far between today. Even rarer are churches attended by folks who actually live and work in the immediate neighborhoods, and are thus able to walk to church on Sundays. By my count there are only 3 or 4 dozen Mennonite churches in the U.S. and Canada that can be considered inner-city. And these tend to be small, poor, struggling groups, often ignored and/or under-appreciated by the larger church institutions. Mennonites have talked for decades about the importance of developing an inner-city presence. In the minds of some church spokespersons, any city church can be referred to as an inner-city church, as if the two things are synonymous. A glance at the physical surroundings of most of the churches in this directory (utilizing Googles wonderful Street View technology) will show thats just not the case.
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Arizona
Chandler
Population (2010): 240,101 Land area: 58 square miles Average density: 4,140/square mile
Glendale
Population (2010): 226,721 Land area: 56 square miles Average density: 4,049/square mile
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Phoenix
Population (2011): 1,469,471 Land area: 517 square miles Average density: 2,842/square mile
Surprise
Population (2010): 117,517 Land area: 69 square miles Average density: 1,703/square mile
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Tucson
Population (2011): 525,796 Land area: 227 square miles Average density: 2,316/square mile
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California
Anaheim
Population (2010): 336,265 Land area: 50 square miles Average density: 6,725/square mile
Downey
Population (2010): 111,772 Land area: 12 square miles Average density: 9,314/square mile
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Fresno
Population (2010): 509,039 Land area: 112 square miles Average density: 4,545/square mile
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5015 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727 (559-268-2113) Minister: Shoua Moua (Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference) Email: shouamission@yahoo.com
Geography: This church meets in the Mennonite Community Church facility on East Olive Avenue (see above).
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Inglewood
Population (2010): 109,673 Land area: 9 square miles Average density: 12,189/square mile History: The Calvary Christian Fellowship (formerly Calvary Mennonite Church) was located in Inglewood. Although a few Mennonites were living in the L.A. area as early as 1912, no definite meeting place was established until 1916, when a Sunday school was organized in Pasadena. The Sunday school was moved to L.A. in 1917, the location changing four times. On 7 November 1920 (or 1921), the congregation was organized as the Los Angeles Mennonite Church at 151 West 73rd Street, with about 60 members. In May 1942, the name was changed to Calvary Mennonite Church. The 1952 membership was 74. The pastor in the mid-1950s was John Zehr. In 2009 membership was 150, and the pastor was Alvin Isaacs. By 2009 the congregation had run into financial difficulties, and the lenders holding the mortgage on the church building foreclosed, putting the building up for sale. The final service in the building was held at the end of December 2009. The property was sold to another African American congregation. The Calvary congregation dispersed. Some followed Alvin Isaacs to worship with another congregation in Inglewood. A few attended the Royal Dominion Family Chapel where Femi Fatunmbi was pastor. --Excerpted from: Buckwalter, Paul and Sam Steiner. (January 2011). Calvary Christian Fellowship (Inglewood, California, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
Los Angeles Faith Chapel (founded 1996); 155 members (African American)
3818 W. Imperial Highway, Inglewood, CA 90303 (310-677-0270) Ministers: Chuwang Pam and Grace Pam (Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference) Email: lafaithchapel@sbcglobal.net Median household income for zip code 90303: $44,200 Population ethnicity for zip code 90303: Anglo: 1.3%; African American: 34%; Hispanic: 61.9% Geography: This church is in the southern part of Inglewood. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 3818 W. Imperial Highway Inglewood and clicking the Street View icon.
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Los Angeles
Population (2012): 3,857,799 Land area: 469 square miles Average density: 8,225/square mile History: The first Mennonite church in Los Angeles was organized in the early 1920s. Members built a meetinghouse at 151 West 73rd Street. In the late 1930s, the congregation organized a craft program for children. Interest in working with blacks developed, and the congregation made plans to start a program for black children at a facility on 35th Street. When no one showed up for the first meeting, the workers offered each boy who would come a nickel if he would bring another. The inducement worked, and interest increased. The first Sunday school met in November 1940 with three pupils. Several Sundays after that no one came. Undaunted, the workers kept on, and soon attendance reached 65. Several years later, seven participants became members. In 1948 membership reached an all-time high of 13, but by 1950 only five members remained. Harry E. Shoup was chosen from the Calvary congregation to serve as superintendent. Workers were furnished by the congregation and members of V.S. units were involved in the summers. The mission closed in the mid-1950s. --Excerpted from: Bechler, Le Roy, The Black Mennonite Church in North America 1886-1986 (Wipf and Stock, 2001; originally published by Herald Press, 1986), pp. 75-76
All Souls Christian Center (founded 1984); 175 members (African American)
5125 S. Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323-879-2219) Minister: Charles Opong (Pacific Southwest Mennonite Conference) Website: http://christianchurchla.wix.com/1 Median household income for zip code 90043: $43,749 Population ethnicity for zip code 90043: Anglo: 2.2%; African American: 64.5%; Hispanic: 29.1% Geography: This church is about 5 miles southwest of L.A.s city center. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 5125 S. Crenshaw Boulevard Los Angeles and clicking the Street View icon.
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Pasadena
Population (2010): 137,122 Land area: 23 square miles Average density: 5,962/square mile
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San Francisco
Population (2012): 825,863 Land area: 47 square miles Average density: 17,572/square mile
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Upland
Population (2010): 73,732 Land area: 16 square miles Average density: 4,608/square mile
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Colorado
Arvada
Population (2012): 109,745 Land area: 35 square miles Average density: 3,136/square mile
Living Light of Peace (was Arvada Mennonite Church) (founded 1961); 13 members (Anglo)
5927 Miller Street, Arvada, CO 80004 (303-424-6261) Minister: Vacancy (Mountain States Mennonite Conference & Church of the Brethren Western Plains District) Member of the Supportive Communities Network of the Brethren-Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests Website: http://arvadamennonitecob.org/ Email: arvadamennonite1@yahoo.com Median household income for zip code 80004: $64,133 Population ethnicity for zip code 80004: Anglo: 84.9%; African American: 0.7%; Hispanic: 11.1% History: In 1961 Arvada Mennonite was established as a congregation in the Western District Conference (General Conference). It developed as an outreach to the influx of 1-W men during the 1950s-60s. On 5 June 1957, Donald G. Wismer accepted a call as pastor of the Denver Mennonite Fellowship, later renamed Arvada Mennonite Church. In 1959 the congregation selected a building site in Arvada, and Western District Conference aided in the propertys purchase. The congregation became selfsupporting and reported 106 members by 1979. Arvada Mennonite has been extensively involved in peace, justice and social action efforts. During the 1970s members were involved in protesting nuclear weapons production at the Rocky Flats plant. Arvada Mennonite is dually affiliated with the Church of the Brethren, and meets jointly with Spirit of Joy Fellowship Church of the Brethren. --Excerpted from: Unrau, Harlan. (March 2010). Arvada Mennonite Church (Arvada, Colorado, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Geography: This church is about a mile west of Arvadas city center. The area around the church is suburban in appearance. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 5927 Miller Street Arvada and clicking the Street View icon.
Aurora
Population (2010): 325,078 Land area: 154 square miles Average density: 2,111/square mile
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Boulder
Population (2010): 97,385 Land area: 25 square miles Average density: 3,895/square mile
Colorado Springs
Population (2010): 416,427 Land area: 194 square miles Average density: 2,146/square mile
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Denver
Population (2012): 634,265 Land area: 153 square miles Average density: 4,145/square mile
Fort Collins
Population (2010): 143,986 Land area: 46 square miles Average density: 3,130/square mile
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Greeley
Population (2010): 92,889 Land area: 30 square miles Average density: 3,096/square mile
Lakewood
Population (2010): 142,980 Land area: 42 square miles Average density: 3,404/square mile
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Florida
Cape Coral
Population (2010): 154,305 Land area: 111 square miles Average density: 1,390/square mile
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Gainesville
Population (2012): 126,047 Land area: 61 square miles Average density: 2,066/square mile
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Sarasota
Population (2010): 51,917 Land area: 15 square miles Average density: 3,461/square mile
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1815 Gillespie Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34234 (941-951-6967) Minister: J.C. Rowry (Southeast Mennonite Conference) Member of the African American Mennonite Association Email: RevWLC@peoplepc.com
History: The Newtown Gospel Chapel began as a mission outpost among the African Americans of Sarasota. Bible classes followed by Sunday school were conducted for a period of about 8 months in this community by the Tuttle Avenue Mennonite Church. In the winter of 1952-1953, a block building was constructed to seat 200. After this an addition for Sunday school classes was built. Workers were supplied by the home congregation. In the fall of 1953, Michael Shenk, of Denbigh, Virginia, was called to serve as pastor. He was replaced in 1956 by Mervin Shirk of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Attendance averaged 75 in 1956. There were 12 baptized members and several more under instruction at that time. In 2009 the congregation had 56 members, and the pastor was Walter Lewis Crawford. --Excerpted from: Augsburger, Myron S. and Sam Steiner. (2009). Newtown Gospel Chapel (Sarasota, Florida, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Geography: This church is located about a mile north of Sarasotas city center. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 1815 Gillespie Avenue Sarasota and clicking the Street View icon.
Wondering why Bahia Vista Mennonite Church is not included here? Bahia Vista has a Sarasota address (4041 Bahia Vista Street, 34232), but the building itself is a mile outside the city. This directory provides listings for churches located within city limits only.
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St. Petersburg
Population (2011): 244,997 Land area: 62 square miles Average density: 3,951/square mile
Tampa
Population (2011): 346,037 Land area: 112 square miles Average density: 3,089/square mile
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Georgia
Atlanta
Population (2012): 443,775 Land area: 132 square miles Average density: 3,361/square mile
Idaho
Boise
Population (2010): 205,671 Land area: 79 square miles Average density: 2,603/square mile
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Illinois
Chicago
Population (2011): 2,707,120 Land area: 227 square miles Average density: 11,926/square mile History: The first Mennonite church in Chicago was organized in 1866 by two businessmen, Peter Neff and John F. Funk. The congregation continued until 1871, when the small meetinghouse was destroyed in the great Chicago fire. John F. Funk, a co-worker for several years with D.L. Moody, laid the foundations for the publication work of the Mennonite Church when he started his publishing company in 1864, which he then transferred in 1867 to Elkhart. Chicago has been the scene of pioneer efforts of Mennonites in city mission work. The first Mennonite Church mission in Chicago was established at 145 W. 18th Street in 1893 with M.S. Steiner as superintendent. The mission was suspended in 1895 but was re-established in 1896 under the auspices of the Mennonite Evangelizing and Benevolent Board. Following were the Mennonite congregations in Chicago in 1953: Mennonite Home Mission, 1907 S. Union (Mennonite Church); Bethel Mennonite Church, Loomis and 14th Place (Mennonite Church); Mennonite Mexican Mission, 1014 Blue Island (Mennonite Church); First Mennonite Church, 73rd and Lafflin (General Conference); Grace Mennonite Church, 4221 S. Rockwell (General Conference); Woodlawn Mennonite Church, 46th and Woodlawn (General Conference); Brighton Mennonite Church, 34th Place and Wollcott (Evangelical Mennonite Brethren); Calvary Memorial Church, 1217 W. 72nd (Evangelical Mennonite); and Lincoln Avenue Gospel Mission, 2812 Lincoln Avenue (Krimmer Mennonite Brethren). --Excerpted from: Kreider, Robert S. (1953). Chicago (Illinois, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
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Berhane Wongel Ethiopian Church (founded 1987); 200 members (African American)
6200 N. Artesian Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659 (773-338-6400) Minister: Guenetu Yigzaw (Illinois Mennonite Conference) Email: gyigzaw@gmail.com Median household income for zip code 60659: $55,851 Population ethnicity for zip code 60659: Anglo: 38.4%; African American: 8.5%; Hispanic: 21% Geography: This church is located several miles north of Chicagos city center, in the West Ridge neighborhood. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 6200 N. Artesian Avenue Chicago and clicking the Street View icon.
Cicero
Population (2010): 83,891 Land area: 6 square miles Average density: 13,982/square mile
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Evanston
Population (2010): 74,486 Land area: 8 square miles Average density: 9,310/square mile
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Normal
Population (2012): 53,837 Land area: 18 square miles Average density: 2,991/square mile
Peoria
Population (2010): 115,007 Land area: 48 square miles Average density: 2,395/square mile History: The first Mennonite congregation in the city, known as the Mennonite Gospel Mission, was begun on 19 July 1914, by the Central Conference of Mennonites. The second was begun by Mennonites (Mennonite Church) on the South Side, on 16 February 1919, and became the Ann Street Mennonite Church. --Excerpted from: Hostetler, J. J. (1959). Peoria (Peoria County, Illinois). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
Schaumburg
Population (2010): 74,227 Land area: 19 square miles Average density: 3,997/square mile
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Indiana
Bloomington
Population (2010): 80,405 Land area: 23 square miles Average density: 3,496/square mile
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Elkhart
Population (2010): 50,949 Land area: 23 square miles Average density: 2,215/square mile History: Elkhart is a leading commercial and railroad center in northwest Elkhart County, founded in 1832, seat of Prairie Mennonite Church, the oldest city congregation of the Mennonite Church (MC), established in 1871. Elkhart achieved importance as a center of life and activity for the Mennonite Church, first through the establishment here of the Mennonite Publishing Company by John F. Funk in 1867, which was the publishing center for the Mennonite Church until 1908, then through the establishment of the headquarters office of the Mennonite Board of Missions & Charities in 1892. From here the first foreign missionaries of the church were sent out in 1898 (to India), and here the first church school was established in 1894 as Elkhart Institute, which was moved to Goshen in 1903 to become Goshen College. --Excerpted from: Bender, Harold S.. (1956). Elkhart (Indiana, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online
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Fort Wayne
Population (2010): 253,691 Land area: 111 square miles Average density: 2,285/square mile
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Indianapolis
Population (2010): 829,718 Land area: 365 square miles Average density: 2,273/square mile
South Bend
Population (2010): 101,168 Land area: 41 square miles Average density: 2,467/square mile
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Iowa
Des Moines
Population (2010): 203,433 Land area: 81 square miles Average density: 2,512/square mile
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2315 59th Street, Des Moines, IA 50310 (515-276-4966) Minister: Kent McDougal (Central Plains Mennonite Conference) Website: http://www.christcommunityc.org/ Email: ccc@networkiowa.com
Geography: This church is several miles northwest of city center. The area around the church is suburban. You can look at this location via Google Maps by searching for 2315 59th Street Street Des Moines and clicking the Street View icon.
Iowa City
Population (2010): 67,862 Land area: 25 square miles Average density: 2,714/square mile
First Mennonite Church of Iowa City (founded 1927); 303 members (Anglo)
405 Myrtle Avenue, Iowa City, IA 52246 (319-338-0302) Ministers: Robert Smith and Margaret Richer Smith (Central Plains Mennonite Conference) Website: http://www.firstofiowacity.ia.us.mennonite.net/ Email: firstmenno@msn.com Median household income for zip code 52246: $42,103 Population ethnicity for zip code 52246: Anglo: 73.7%; African American: 6.1%; Hispanic: 4.5% History: First Mennonite Church of Iowa City, formerly Iowa City Gospel Mission, began as the Mennonite Sunday School on 27 November 1927 in the old Cartright schoolhouse on Orchard Street on the west side of the Iowa River. The work began as a result of the vision of Will Guengerich, Chris Hershberger, Joe C. Brenneman, and others, in part to provide a church home for Mennonites who had moved to the city. The first meeting house was erected in the summer of 1939 at 614 Clark Street (corner of Clark & Seymour) on the east side of the Iowa River. A building program in the mid-1960s allowed the membership to grow to 300. Now located close to the University, First Mennonite ministers to patients, students and faculty. The pastor in 1954 was Virgil J. Brenneman. --Excerpted from: Brenneman, Virgil J. (1957). First Mennonite Church of Iowa City (Iowa City, Iowa, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online Geography: This church is about half a mile southwest of Iowa Citys city center, on the other side of the Iowa River. Google does not provide any Street View images of this church.
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