MCC Portland On The Move!
“I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:19
A lot has happened with MCC Portland recently! We said farewell to the building at 2400 NE Broadway on February 24, 2019, transitioned to a new shared facility in the Hawthorne District of SE Portland, and have begun God’s new adventure for our community! (See background information below.)
March through May 2019 was a season of big changes and experimentation. Many things are different — and some things are familiar. Our Sunday morning worship gatherings remain at 10AM and, while we do familiar things (i.e. communion, prayer, offering, singing, etc…), we frequently change how we do them. One difference is that all spaces in the new facility are shared with others. For example the on-site parking lot and on-site offices are shared with Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church. (MCC has exclusive use of specific areas at certain times as scheduled.)
A motto for these months has been: “That was then and there. This is here and now. Be here now!”
Relocating to a new ministry facility has required flexibility and adaptability and it is already yielding new opportunities for collaboration and creativity! The exciting and challenging journey of excavating and exploring is underway as we listen to God’s guiding Spirit anew, prayerfully asking:
Who are we? What is God calling us to be here and now? What is our mission and witness in 2019 and beyond?
Our discernment continues! We’ve entered a “(re)planting” journey with two core beliefs:
- we anticipate in advance that out of an ending God is creating a new beginning
- we travel lightly and carry only the core essentials of who and what we are for this new beginning
It’s an exciting time at MCC in Portland! Join us to be a part of the new thing God is doing!
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Background on Relocation:
MCC has sold the building and property at 2400 NE Broadway.
On September 27, 2015 MCC Portland voted by a strong 87% majority to approve beginning the process of the sale of the building and property at 2400 NE Broadway and to begin the search for a new ministry facility. Detailed rationale and the decision-making process followed can be found in the attached August 2015 communication to the congregation from the Board of Directors. In short, the building no longer served the ministry needs we have or foresee in the future. Updates on the status of sale and search have been given at all congregational meetings and most Board meetings held since September 2015.
The property was publicly listed for sale on September 5, 2018 and sale was completed on April 5, 2019. We are pleased to know that the new owner intends to keep the building intact and re-purpose the interior as a family-friendly brewpub/restaurant (projected opening in 2021). The public will continue to be able to enjoy the historic beauty and charm of the building at 2400 NE Broadway both inside and out.
As of March 2019 our Sunday worship and many other activities have relocated to 2828 SE Stephens Street sharing common ground with Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church. We plan to share space at this inner SE location for an interim period of time — we anticipate for a couple years — while we continue our discernment including identifying a longer-term future location aligned with newly discerned mission. A portion of proceeds from the sale of 2400 NE Broadway are being held in reserve for use in securing a future facility. If you become aware of any suitable sites, please contact our Building Search Team at buildingsearch@mccportland.com.
UPDATE AUGUST 2023 Where is MCC Portland now located?
The building at 2828 SE Stephens Street was being put up for sale and so we were on the move again. We’ve moved to 3880 SE Brooklyn Street where we continue to worship and serve our community.
Where have other groups and activities gone that used to be at 2400 NE Broadway?
We were honored to host numerous community groups and activities at 2400 NE Broadway for many years. All those former building users have found suitable relocation sites throughout Portland — some have relocated to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church; others have relocated elsewhere. For the current status and location of a specific group or activity, please inquire directly with the coordinator of that activity and/or secretary of that group. You can also contact the MCC church office for information.