Central Commons recently celebrated its fifth anniversary as a new community hub on the site of the former Central Christian Church, which closed in 2021.
The congregation of the former Central Christian Church started in 1863 on the second floor of a downtown blacksmith’s shop and moved to 4711 Westside Drive in 1952.
The former church held its final service in April of 2021, with its pastor at the time, Ken Crawford, citing declining attendance and financial resources over time as the reason for the church’s closure.
The nonprofit raised funds to take over the property with the goal of transforming it into a community gathering place.
Now, five years later, the space hosts Park Cities Montessori school, a dog park, several nonprofits (including two churches), and other small businesses.
“When Central Christian reached the end of its life cycle five years ago, we wanted to build on their amazing legacy and preserve this beautiful place for Christian worship and community connection. By God’s grace, others joined us and pitched in. As we look back on the past five years, 10 churches have worshiped at CentralCommons, over 30 different 12-step groups have met here, several for-profit and nonprofit entrepreneurs have found a home, artists have a place to refine their craft, and a new preschool is serving neighborhood families,” a statement from New Church Commons president Blake Schwarz said. “As we look to the future, we would love to continue investing in this campus so it can serve the community.”
On July 1, Central Commons celebrated five years with a block party for the community featuring live music by Going Places, food trucks, a bounce house, snow cones, and more.
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