Cedar Rapids ‘church without walls’ now has its walls

CEDAR RAPIDS — When Keeyon and Stephanie Carter cast their ballots at their Wellington Heights polling place several years ago, with their 2-year-old son Myles in tow, the “budding activist” hatched an idea.

While they stood inside what was then the Paul Engle Center, Stephanie Carter recalled the eldest of their two boys tugging on her coat and said, “Mom, I think that this building would be a great space for a church to stop racism and to help people.”

“I think God heard his prayers,” she told about 75 people gathered recently in that building at 1600 Fourth Ave. SE, celebrating its renovation to house the Wellington Heights Community Church.

The church has been known as a “church without walls” since it began in March 2020, as the spread of COVID-19 was swiftly upending business-as-usual across the globe.

Now, the organization has a physical home to serve as a hub for the neighborhood in the southeast quadrant — marking a major step forward in the Carters’ vision to help Wellington Heights flourish through a mission of worship, reconciliation and neighborhood development.

“This building wasn't brought about by one man or one woman, but many men, women, teens, children, Democrats, Republicans, white, Black, Hispanic all coming together,” said Keeyon Carter, the pastor. “We knew that there were some things that we disagreed with, but there was one thing that we actually agreed on, and that was we want to see people flourish.”

‘Welcoming’ space

The nonprofit looked to raise $305,000 through its Building Hope fundraising campaign to cover the costs of buying, repairing and furnishing both the Paul Engle Center and a three-bedroom house at 400 16th St. SE, now dubbed the “Peace House.”

Keeyon said about $210,000 has been raised so far, but the church continues to seek donations, which will likely be converted to a long-term building fund to support additional projects.

Major fixes, such as the Fourth Avenue building’s foundation, are complete, but other repairs are anticipated in the future, such as siding and air conditioning.

When visitors approach the building, they’re greeted with “welcome” painted around the door in over 20 languages by artist Christina Farrell, who also worked with the neighborhood to complete the paint-by-numbers mural on the Fourth Avenue side of the building.

Stepping into the church, there’s a vast open space with seats facing a stage, where the Carters conduct church services. The space also will host open mic nights and arts and cultural events.

High-top tables and bar stools create a “welcoming environment,” Keeyon Carter said.

“We truly want it to look and feel like a neighborhood gathering space rather than a church,” he said.

Organizations can rent space to host classes and meetings here. The YPN (Young Parents Network) and the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association are among the groups already using the facility.

Upstairs, a multipurpose room offers space for child care, including a quiet room for kids on the autism spectrum. Several pieces of brightly colored decor leave visitors with the message, “You are loved.”

“We want it to be a place of peace and welcome,” Stephanie Carter said. “ … People just want to sit and be here, so our hope is that people continue to just want to be and can feel comfortable to have a place to just feel welcomed, cared for.”

Other offerings

Outside, there are picnic tables and a basketball court that’s often filled with neighborhood children shooting hoops.

Local nonprofit Feed Iowa First supplies fresh produce in an outdoor fridge a couple of times a week, and Matthew 25, which operates the new Cultivate Hope Corner Store, also contributes food.

“I think that within three days, everything's taken,” Keeyon Carter said.

A “blessing box” behind the building offers items such as socks, underwear and feminine hygiene products. People are free to take and leave items there.

“We learn that through listening to the community, asking what do people actually need, what would you like to have?” Keeyon Carter said.

The church also will serve as a resiliency hub if there’s an emergency like the August 2020 derecho, providing a place for people to charge their phones, get ice and do laundry, Stephanie Carter said.

Solar panels and a battery charger were provided by Our Future, formerly known as Sunrise Movement, Kirkwood Community College, Eagle Point and NextEra solar companies.

‘Brings a hope’

As neighbors have begun to see people entering the building, view the mural and hear kids playing basketball, it seems the building “brings a hope to this part of the neighborhood,” Keeyon Carter said.

Cody Jandik, who lives with his family of four just outside of Wellington Heights, said the Carters spend time with people to identify the community’s needs, then work with residents so changes come from the ground up.

Jandik said he takes his two boys to the church services, peace walks, trash pickups and other events, engaging them in the community from a young age.

“We want them to see everyone as being equal,” Jandik said. “They have the opportunity to make an impact through building relationships, like hopefully they're seeing us do and the church do, and they can continue to do that going forward.”

Ana Clymer, of Marion, a member of the Marion Alliance for Racial Equity, said the church has partnered with her organization on social justice issues.

Being part of a faith community is “about being welcoming and inclusive and helping people belong in faith, especially now when so many people are turning away from the church because they don't feel like … they're represented in what's being preached or what's being focused on,” Clymer said.

Clymer’s daughter, Briana Clymer, said she was drawn to the church and its youth groups because they’re inviting to all, regardless of identity. She felt her last youth group was more homophobic and not as welcoming.

“Here it could be better — like a new start,” she said.

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