It's not beautiful like the Basilica or as grand as the Cathedral of St. Paul, but Central Mission is amazing in its own right and holds a very special place in my heart. And even though I've visited this spot since 2004, it's never been for a service.
It's been for practice, but for a different one than you might think...
Thanks to Pastor Ike and his team, Central Mission hosts one of the most famous break[dance]ing practice spots in Minnesota. Every Wednesday, from 7-9:30 PM, kids from around the Twin Cities metro congregate in the church's basement to dance on duck-taped linoleum floors and funk music blaring from a low-budget Casio boom box. For almost a decade, I don't think a breaking session has ever been cancelled. Amazing, really...
Back in the day, I used to hone my skills there and vibe out with the kids. Whether it was learning new steps for grooving to beats or strengthening my muscles for a freeze, it's an amazing and fun environment. The staff would even bring water, lemonade, and cookies to encourage people to stay. They even bought a pool table for those that didn't feel like dancing! Some may see this session as a place where kids hangout. But, it's sooooo much more. It's been an awesome alternative for youth that are pressured daily to join a gang, sell dope, or risk their lives doing something incredibly stupid.
About the church itself, there's three general levels.
-Basement: Where Pastor Ike now holds his services and the location of the infamous practice spot.
-Main Floor: Where the original service used to be. It's an intimate venue with two levels of seating, a wooden floor, and stage. It's held some of the most epic underground breaking battles ever and has incredible acoustics. Check out this clip here: http://bit.ly/1wfRZqT.
-Second Floor: Small hot dog shaped recreational center that has also served as a practice spot.
Again, it's not the most beautiful or historical church, but, if you want to talk about one that dedicates much of its resources to helping poor and at-risk youth (like one man did), I'll be surprised to find one more effective and fun than Central Mission Church. read more