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St. Paul’s programs build hope in neighborhood

An Oct. 5 Gala and Auction, “Building Hope,” was held by St. Paul’s UCC at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard to celebrate a new era for the church offering a vital community space as it launched a new nonprofit to preserve that space the church has provided in the community over its 120 years.

Courtney Stange-Tregear, Darrell Goodwin and Phil Hodson were on the program for the Building Hope Gala and Auction. Photo Courtesy of St Paul’s UCC

For decades, St. Paul’s UCC has quietly offered its building as a safe haven for North Seattle neighbors in need, said Courtney Stange Tregear, consulting pastor.

From dozens of addiction recovery meetings started 40 years ago to the free weekday breakfasts Edible Hope began last year, the building has been a lifeline for people facing homelessness, addiction, poverty and isolation, added Kerri Berlin, the lay pastor.

St. Paul’s also has a history as a shelter—first as an overnight SHARE shelter, and then, during the pandemic, as a 24-hour refuge so vulnerable neighbors could safely shelter in place.

“With property values soaring, the congregation is launching Building Hope, a nonprofit to preserve the property as the newly named Building Hope Community Center,” said Courtney.

“This move is designed to ensure the site remains open to all, no matter what tomorrow brings,” she explained

Now renamed the Building Hope Community Center, the space provides free meals, daily recovery groups, and other programs serving marginalized and underserved neighbors.

St. Paul’s UCC used the event as an opportunity to celebrate its 120 years of ministry, its 40 years of recovery ministry, its 30 years open and affirming ministry and its one year anniversary of feeding neighbors with Edible Hope, as expressions of St. Paul’s UCC faithfully serving Ballard for generations.

The church appealed for attendees to help preserve the space for future generations of service.

The event raised $52,000 to launch the new nonprofit, which will steward the building and property, said Courtney.

“St. Paul’s UCC is doing a new thing. While we are a small and mighty congregation we know how much the community relies on our building,” she added.

“In addition to meeting physical and emotional needs, St. Paul’s has been a leader in radical welcome,” she continued. “The church has proudly been an Open and Affirming congregation for more than 30 years—openly celebrating and affirming LGBTQIA+ people long before most churches, and even before much of society.”

Kerri pointed out that the spirit of inclusivity has shaped the space into a refuge for those who often feel left out elsewhere.

Last year, with the help of generous community support, St. Paul’s raised more than $60,000 to renovate their kitchen so Edible Hope could relocate from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Ballard Common.

Edible Hope now continues its 30-year-long tradition of providing free, hot breakfasts every weekday to neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness.

St. Paul’s members say their mission “isn’t to change people” but to “offer a place where growth can take place.”

The new Building Hope Community Center will ensure access to affordable gathering space for programs serving marginalized and underserved neighbors, including free meals, recovery groups and other grassroots efforts that foster healing, connection and hope.

The effort officially launched at the Gala and Auction, raising funds to go toward securing the future of the Community Center, keeping its doors open to the many grassroots groups and programs that rely on the space.

Local businesses, community members and supporters joined the gala and donated sponsorships to help sustain this neighborhood resource.

For the Gala and Auction, one of the featured speakers is Darrell Goodwin, executive conference minister of the Southern New England Conference of the UCC. He served as pastor and founder of the Liberation UCC in Seattle, Everett UCC and chaplain intern at VA Puget Sound Health Systems.

The second speaker was Courtney, who previously served as minister of church vitality with the PNC-UCC. She brings a wealth of experience fostering church growth and vitality and has helped revitalize numerous congretations.

The effort is made possible with the support of the church’s friends, neighbors and covenant partners. Sponsors include  include the Pacific Northwest Conference, United Churches of Olympia, Keystone UCC, Seattle First Baptist and others. 

For information, call 425-205-9071, email berlinkerri@gmail.com, pstcourtney@gmail.com, or visit buildinghopeballard.org.

 

Pacific Northwest Conference UCC News © copyright Fall 2025

 

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