Churches open community center to improve race relations

Leola Twiggs hoped a five-block-long processional along Jefferson Avenue on Sunday afternoon sent a message the community.

It's a message that members of her church, New Bethel Missionary Baptist, and members of La Croix United Methodist Church also want to spread.

"We have come together, black and white, to let the community know that color does not matter to Jesus," said Twiggs of Cape Girardeau.

The two churches, New Bethel -- a predominantly black church -- and the largely white La Croix United Methodist, joined forces in April 2004 to launch a community outreach program in south Cape Girardeau.

For two years, members of both churches met on a vacant lot at the corner of Henderson and Jefferson avenues every third Saturday of the month. They gathered for fellowship and worship, and to build relationships.

Last July, La Croix purchased the former Second Missionary Baptist Church at 428 S. Frederick St., with plans to renovate it so that a program called The Bridge could be open to the community. After a year-long renovation project, members of the two churches dedicated the building on Sunday.

The dedication began as members gathered at the spot where they first met for fellowship, at the vacant lot on Jefferson Avenue.

As members of the two churches walked along Jefferson Avenue to The Bridge, neighbors peered from their front porches at the group of about 100. The neighbors cheered and waved, most smiled as the members walked along singing "When The Saints Come Marching In."

For New Bethel's pastor, Johnny Thomas, that was the reaction he hoped for.

"This program is going to meet the needs of the community. It's going to give so many people the opportunity to get their lives together," he said about The Bridge.

The renovation of the building is complete, but there's still discussions about the different outreach programs that will take place at The Bridge.

Shari Stroup, La Croix's local outreach ministry leader, said The Bridge will provide meal and after-school programs for children.

"We want to have some art programs, like dance, art or drama. A lot of these children have so much talent, and we want them to be able to express it," Stroup said.

There's also plans for drug and alcohol recovery programs at The Bridge, and trade classes for young adults.

"My goals is to teach these young people a trade, even if it's welding," Thomas said. "If they can make it on their own, they need to know how to work. They also need a place where they can go."

That place will be The Bridge, Thomas said.

Numerous hours went into renovating the building, which was constructed in 1834, and was the first established Baptist church in Cape Girardeau.

About 250 people worked at refurbishing the old building, said Kaye Hood, member of La Croix. "It was quite a project, and really a labor of love" she said in the sanctuary of the building on Sunday.

But The Bridge is only a building, and the work that will take place inside it means so much more to the members of both churches.

"This project is about Jesus, it's just the beginning," Stroup said.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246