Even before our first public meeting in August of 2007, we knew that New City Church would strive to engage our culture and work hard for the good of our city. We had no idea exactly what that would look like, or how well we would be received.
Shortly after starting weekly gatherings in 2008 we leased space at 567 Cherry Street. We needed a place for our bands to practice, for our people to gather for training, for our kids on Sunday morning, and an office for myself and others. Leadership knew that we did not want to create a "Church" space but rather a community space - a space that would lend itself to cultural engagement and be good for our city. So we created the 567 Cafe.
The 567 Cafe:
The space was set up as a cafe - cafe tables and chairs, a a warm cafe feel, and a small coffee kitchen. We built a stage for local musicians to play on. We had huge wall boards built that would help with acoustics in the room and also serve to hang the visual art of our local artists. The 567, after a slow start, has been everything we dreamed it could be - and more!
Local musicians play the 567's stage every week - they and their fans love the intimate feel and the great sound. We have had more people than 100 people in our small cafe at a time for music. We have artists of all kinds and some of our humble art openings have been full and fun! The 567 has opened many other doors of opportunity and consistently serves as a great place for cultural engagement. Even non-church goers agree that the 567 has been great for our city.
Our Future:
We have known from the start that at some point, it would be better economically for us, as a church, to move to another location. One that had more space (space for offices and kids ministry) and could be used more than once a week. Over the past year, with the success of the 567 it has become clear that our space must continued to be used for the good of the arts (music, visual arts, and other forms of art). I have dreamed of a space that would allow for a continuation of our small, intimate musical events, and a space that would allow us the ability to host larger events as well. I have dreamed of an area that would be set up as a true art gallery. But more than that, a space that would allow for expanded use as we engage our culture and seek the good of our city. I have dreamed of a place that would allow us to teach music and art, a place that would give us the opportunity to do art and music camps for kids from all over Middle Georgia.
In the past months we have begun working on setting the 567 up as a non-profit, the 567 Center for Renewal. We have incorporated as such in the state of GA and we are completing IRS paperwork now. Doing so will allow us to apply for Art and City Renewal grants that a church is not eligible for - last year we passed up $31,000 in grants.
A building that could house the 567 and serve as offices and gathering space for New City Church has been located.
No decision has been made on formally pursuing the building but we are talking with a real estate agent and beginning to count costs. The agent has asked us to make a formal offer. The building is for sale or lease. There is not much of a chance (miracles excluded) that the building could be purchased - so a lease is most likely at this point.
The Building:
The building is 5 blocks from our current location. It has space for children, for offices, for a true art gallery, for intimate smaller concerts, and an unfinished warehouse could eventually serve as a 400 +/- seat music venue and church gathering space. Honestly, it looks like the space was designed for the 567 Art Center!
I am asking our friends and supporters to pray for our wisdom as we take steps forward.
