Our History
Putting Down Roots: Our Beginning
A seed was planted in 1992 when a small group of brave people
committed to bringing a new church, to be associated with Metropolitan
Community Churches, to Wilmington. Some had been rejected by other
churches because of their God-given sexual orientation. These saints
dreamed of a place where all of God’s children would have a safe and
welcoming place to worship.
This band of believers began as a "church in a box," meaning they
carried any equipment used for services in boxes in their cars between
Sundays. They fondly referred to the space donated by the Unitarian
Universalists as "Church in the Woods." They grew in size and
commitment, eventually able to rent a small historic church building on
Castle Street. Imagine the feeling they experienced as they opened the
doors for worship on that first Sunday!
In 2000, we sowed our first seeds of financial asset and credibility when
we bought an office space and community center. Our larger facility,
financial strength and stability began to support a wealth of effective
ministries and our programs blossomed. At least three nights a week
other community groups or partners in ministry used our facilities. 511
Castle Street was more than just a building. It became a symbol of God’s
love for the entire LGBT community, our allies and partners.
Putting Down Roots: Our Big Step Of Faith
There is no doubt that for so many St. Jude’s is an "anchor;" a place
and a people to come to when there is a storm. For many people St.
Jude’s MCC provides their primary source of belonging and connection.
For years we have been successfully drawing the wider community
together with our bridge-building ministries and well respected voice in
the community.
We continued to grow, not just in numbers but in maturity and in ministry
and service to others. We knew we needed to expand our facilities.
In the summer of 2005 we began our search for a new home. Like the
first group of pioneers who dared to believe that Wilmington could seed
a congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church, we had to trust
and have confidence in God that we could raise the money to establish
our very own home; a home that would be a permanent sanctuary for
ALL.
"Blessed are those who trust in God, whose confidence is in God. They
will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the
stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought, and never fails to bear fruit."
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Call it a God incident, or synchronicity, or divine intervention; many
individuals kept talking about this prime corner property on one of the
main roads into and through Wilmington. However, two seemingly
insurmountable issues threatened to block us from acquiring this
property. First, the property was already under contract! Secondly, the
price before taxes and necessary major repairs and renovations was
$515,000, and we only had $3,000 in the bank! But our vision seems to
have been God's vision!
Putting Down Roots: A New Home for All God’s Children
In March 2006, we moved into our "Miracle on Market Street," singing
“We’ve Come This Far By Faith!" We know we have been showered with
God’s blessings and that “to whom much is given, much is expected."
These are very exciting times for us and we are continuing to grow
(some reflecting back on the "church in a box" days say we’ve grown
up)!
We are certainly at a place of great promise, and with our new vision of
being God’s Hands Extended, we hope you will join us on this amazing
journey of faith and community!