Euclid's Imani United Church of Christ Expands to a Second Ministry Site

Pastor Michele Teague-Humphrey stood in the empty sanctuary of the former school building and counted out 800 chairs where pews used to be.

Imani United Church of Christ has closed on the 8.29-acre former school property, a second campus just down the street and around the corner from its church at 1505 E 260th St. The purchase, financed in part by the United Church of Christ's Church Building & Loan Fund, gives the congregation a worship facility, a large field, and more than 100 parking spaces.

"It is a 90-day renovation timeline," Teague-Humphrey said. "We are expected to have our first worship there in January."

The property and the plan

The renovation work includes replacing the pews with those 800 chairs, adding a restroom, and upgrading bathrooms, paint, carpeting, lighting, wiring, and stained glass windows. "In the new facility, once renovations are complete, we will have seating for 800 people, which will allow us to have one Sunday morning worship service," Teague-Humphrey said.

The congregation plans to keep its original property for special worship services, outreach, classes, and office space while adding the new site.

A congregation with deep roots

The church's charter opened in December 1992, when more than 70 adults and children signed on as charter members. Rev. Monte Norwood founded the church and served as its founding and senior pastor from 1992 to 2005. Teague-Humphrey became senior pastor in November 2005 and has served the congregation for more than a decade.

Through those years, the church has run the Harvest Fellowship Food Pantry, clothing outreach, and the Imani Scholars program. Norwood also founded the Imani Community Development Corporation, which supported an early childhood development training center and the Imani Scholars Preschool and Day Care.

What it means for the block

The new campus sits close to the existing church, just down the street and around the corner. The 8.29 acres include a field that was once a schoolyard, and more than 100 parking spaces.

"Having two campuses allows us the opportunity to provide space for people to come together, whether it is for worship, food and clothing, spiritual support, education, or empowerment," Teague-Humphrey said.