Center Your Spirit in the Heart of the City
Christ Episcopal Church sits at 20 West First Street, in the heart of downtown Dayton, Ohio, with its front door a short walk from the city's government buildings, riverfront, and central business district. The parish describes itself with the line it has placed on its own front page: Center Your Spirit in the Heart of the City. Episcopal and proud of it, Christ Church has long combined traditional Book of Common Prayer worship with a progressive, welcoming, and outward-facing sense of mission. Through the building pass two affiliated ministries, Living Beatitudes Community and Closet TRANSformation; out of the same building run a daily hospitality center, multiple feeding ministries, weekly recovery meetings, and a year-round program of music, formation, and family life.
Three Services a Week: The Rhythm of Worship
The parish gathers three times each week at the corner of West First Street and Ludlow. On Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m., a quiet Holy Eucharist, Rite II, is held in the chapel section of the Nave for early risers who prefer a smaller, contemplative setting. The larger 10:30 Sunday service is the Holy Eucharist, Rite II with Music, led by a cantor and the parish's pipe organ. It is the principal service of the week, family-friendly, and livestreamed through the parish's YouTube channel. On Wednesdays at 12:10 p.m., a Healing Prayer Service with Holy Communion offers prayers for peace and reconciliation, anointing with oil for healing, and a chance for downtown workers to step briefly out of the workday.
Worship is grounded in the Book of Common Prayer, the prayer book used by every Episcopal congregation. Christ Church describes itself as traditional in worship and music while still progressive and relaxed in spirit. Visitors who have never been to an Episcopal service are encouraged simply to follow along in the bulletin or watch the priest, called the Celebrant. Communion is open to everyone regardless of denominational background; participants may receive both bread and wine, only the bread, or simply cross their hands over their heart for a blessing.
A Reconciling, Affirming Community
Christ Church wears its welcome on its front door. The congregation has long described itself as proudly welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ+ members, calling itself a refuge where people who have been hurt in other religious communities can heal and grow. Two affiliated ministries share the building and the ethos. Living Beatitudes Community, a friendly and caring group of Christians focused on social justice and the spirit of the Beatitudes, worships on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. on the lower level. Closet TRANSformation, a nonprofit affirming the trans community of the Miami Valley, also operates out of the church.
Five values anchor the parish. The members seek to be authentic, to value diversity across age, race, sexual identification, gender identity and expression, ability, economic status, and homelessness, to live as reconcilers practicing the restoration of broken relationship with God and one another, to embody welcome to outsiders, and to build community. The parish mission frames the work plainly: We are called to serve God, giving of ourselves as we worship, wrestle with questions of faith, and nurture the Christ in all people: the friend and the stranger, the satisfied and the needy, the believer and the unbeliever.
Christ Episcopal Church is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.
The Reconciliation Labyrinth: A Walking Prayer in the City
On the church grounds, just outside the Nave, stands the Reconciliation Labyrinth, a concrete path designed for prayer and meditation. The labyrinth occupies the footprint of the Chapel of Reconciliation, which stood on the same spot until it was taken down in 2013 due to structural problems. In the 1970s the parish had become a member of the International Community of Reconciliation, centered at Coventry Cathedral in England, and the labyrinth keeps that legacy alive. Designed by John Ridder of Indianapolis, one of the founders of The Labyrinth Society, the path has no dead ends, only one way to the center and one way back out.
Etched pavers, sponsored by friends of Christ Church with names, messages, and memorials, line the walk from the courtyard to the labyrinth. The outdoor space is open to the public, not only to members, and is intended to serve downtown Dayton as a place for reflection. Seasonal Labyrinth Writings Walks, facilitated by longtime member Tom Schaefer, gather small groups to share a short reading before walking in silence. The site can also double as worship and performance space, hosting musicians during some of Dayton's festivals.
The Annual Waffle Shop and a Generous Legacy
Each November the parish hosts the Annual Waffle Shop, a tradition roughly 95 years old of selling waffle lunches to raise money that is then granted to small local nonprofits serving the poor and marginalized. The four-day event runs the third week of November, with online ordering opening a week before. Waffle Shop grant applications open early in the year, and most recent cycles have awarded proceeds to about 17 local organizations, including Soroptimist International of Dayton, CareHouse, Gem City Diaper Bank, Good Shepherd Ministries, Hands for Mom, Q+ Youth Center, Fairborn UMC, LifeCare Alliance/Diabetes Dayton, and Blue Star Mothers of America, among others. The Waffle Shop is at once a community fundraiser, a parish reunion, and a concrete expression of the congregation's outward-facing theology.
CityHeart: A Front Porch for the Heart of the City
In 2006 Christ Episcopal Church founded CityHeart as a ministry of presence to the needy, transient, and homeless population of downtown Dayton. Operating in the lower level of the church building Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., CityHeart offers hospitality, information, emergency assistance, and referrals to long-term community resources. In 2016 it became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit while keeping its historic partnership with the parish; at least two Christ Church members sit on the 12-member CityHeart Board of Directors.
The ministry is staffed by two paid employees, a contract bookkeeper, and a rotating bench of office volunteers. Intake Specialists greet visitors and answer phones. Trained Resource Specialists meet with clients for more in-depth help. Special-skills volunteers contribute IT consultation, grant writing, and research. The service is free and open to anyone, and many who arrive at the door are referred in turn to partners across Dayton for food, shelter, healthcare, housing, and recovery support.
Take, Eat and the Homeless Feeding Ministry
Two feeding ministries keep Christ Church in regular contact with the unhoused in Dayton. Through Take, Eat, a small team of volunteers serves lunch to the women and families at the St. Vincent de Paul Apple Street Shelter on the first Saturday of each month, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Recurring volunteers undergo fingerprinting and background checks administered on-site by St. Vincent de Paul.
Through the Homeless Feeding Ministry the parish also serves lunch at the Gateway Men's Shelter on the third Saturday of every month, with volunteers arriving at 11:00 a.m., the meal at noon, and cleanup completed by 1:00 p.m. On the third Thursday of every month, volunteers serve dinner at the St. Vincent family shelter, arriving at 5:30 p.m. for a 6:15 p.m. meal. The menu is dependable: fried chicken, baked beans, potato salad, fresh rolls, and dessert. Each month the parish also provides the food for a third meal at the women's and couples' shelter. New servers are always welcome; there is no fixed schedule, and people can simply come as they are able.
Blue Star Mothers, 12-Step, Fairtrade, and More
Several other ministries knit the parish into the wider Dayton community. Christ Church hosts the Miami Valley Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America. A Christ Church foyer group first took up the cause years ago, and the parish has continued to collect supplies for care packages to deployed troops and to help fill the Christmas stockings the chapter mails out each year.
Inside the building, several 12-Step meetings gather weekly. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at noon in the lower-level worship space in an open meeting that welcomes newcomers, longtime members, and students observing for coursework. Sex Addicts Anonymous meets Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m. in the Parlor.
In November 2016 Christ Episcopal Church became the first parish in Ohio to be internationally certified as a Fairtrade congregation, choosing to serve Fairtrade coffee, tea, and other goods at coffee hour and parish events in solidarity with farming families around the world. Canterbury Court, owned and operated by Episcopal Retirement Services, is a HUD-sponsored independent living community for older adults with limited income in West Carrollton, Ohio. Christ Church sits on the Friends of Canterbury Board and contributes to the Good Samaritan Fund, which helps residents pay for glasses, dental work, hearing aids, and wellness or spiritual activities. Each year on National Rebuilding Day, the last Saturday in April, the parish joins Rebuilding Together Dayton to repair and rehab the homes of Miami Valley neighbors who cannot afford to do all the work themselves; skilled and unskilled volunteers are both welcome.
Music: The Christ Church Choir, Jubilee Ringers, and the Great Lady Concert Series
Music sits near the heart of Christ Church. The Christ Church Choir leads the singing at the 10:30 Sunday worship service and rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 in the Choir Room. The choir welcomes anyone who loves to sing, with no formal musical training required, just a love for music and willingness to learn. The Christ Church Jubilee Ringers, a small handbell choir, rehearse on Thursday evenings and have recently added mallets to their repertoire. Instrumentalists and guest musicians regularly accompany the choir or play solo pieces during services.
Music also flows outward into the city through the Great Lady Concert Series, which brings free Sunday afternoon concerts to the sanctuary several times a year. Recitals typically begin at 3:00 p.m. and are open to the public. Yun Kim, the Organist and Director of Music, coordinates both the worship and concert music programs.
Spark: Children, Youth, and Family Programs
Spark is the parish umbrella for its work with children and families. On Sunday mornings, Nursery Care is offered in room 203 of the Education Wing from 9:00 a.m. to noon for infants and toddlers, staffed by adults who have completed background checks and Safeguarding God's Children training through the Diocese of Southern Ohio. Sunday School for ages 3 through grade 5 meets in room 207 from 9:00 to 10:00 with music, prayer, a hands-on activity, and a story. The Youth Group for middle and high schoolers meets in room 208 during the same hour, with a rotating curriculum focused on contemplative practices, visual faith, and Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints. Sunday-morning formation is led or planned by Jen Sammons, the Director of Children and Youth Ministry.
During the 10:30 worship service, children ages 3 and up may leave for Children's Chapel after the Gospel hymn and process to the Parish Hall nearby. Children's Chapel uses the Godly Play method, a Montessori-based approach that invites children into Bible stories through wondering and play. Vacation Bible School has run for a full week in early June with themes such as Peace Like a River, built around stories like Jesus calming the storm, Mary and Martha, Zacchaeus, and the feeding of the 5,000. Older youth and adults are also invited into service; teens entering seventh grade and above are encouraged to volunteer as shepherds, station leaders, or mealtime helpers. All Spark volunteers are required to complete Safe Church training through the Diocese of Southern Ohio.
Christian Formation for Adults
Christian education is understood at Christ Church as more than acquiring knowledge; it is about helping one another discover God's presence in and purpose for life. Adult Forum gathers on Sunday mornings between services during the program year, returning to its regular schedule after a summer break. The major parish-wide adult formation offering is an annual Bible study called The Path: A Journey Through the Bible, which moves weekly through major biblical landmarks from Genesis to Revelation using condensed excerpts from the New Revised Standard Version. Small groups meet both on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Parlor. The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio also lists further formation opportunities throughout the year for those who want to go deeper.
Foyer Groups and the Fellowship of the Parish
Many newcomers make their closest Christ Church friendships through a Foyer Group. Small groups of parishioners meet monthly from September through May, taking turns hosting one another for a meal in their homes. The word foyer means hearthside, and Foyer Groups have been a part of the parish since 1975.
Other recurring fellowship rhythms include the Downtowners Luncheon Group, which meets monthly for lunch at restaurants around Dayton; Young Adult Gatherings for friends in their 20s and 30s held at local businesses and parks; Parish Game Nights with separate rooms for adults, children, and youth; Creating Community Craft Gatherings on second Saturdays during summer months; Sundae Sundays with ice cream in the Parish Hall after the 10:30 service from June through August; the weekly Coffee Hour after the main Sunday service, hosted by parishioners who sign up to bring snacks and brew coffee; and the Reconciliation Labyrinth Writings Walks in spring, summer, and fall.
Leadership, Staff, and Governance
The Rev. Peter Homeyer serves as Rector. Music is led by Yun Kim, Organist and Director of Music. Jen Sammons is Director of Children and Youth Ministry. Emily Joyce serves as Director of Communication and Parish Life. The parish is governed by an elected Vestry that meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m.; meetings are open to all members. The current Vestry includes Senior Warden Bruce Huntsbarger, Junior Warden Jack Wells, Treasurer Georgette Walker, and Secretary Lisa Loftin, along with members Elizabeth Blackwell, Esther Brownsmith, Sophia Fisher, Terry Murray, Jamey Paul, and Josh Plandowski.
Visiting Christ Episcopal Church
The church building at 20 West First Street is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the office can be reached at (937) 223-2239. Parking is free in the lot on First Street during services and events, and First Street is one-way. If a parking attendant is present in the evening or on weekends, simply saying you are heading to the church waives the fee. Street parking is free after 6:00 p.m. on weeknights and on weekends. Visitors coming at other times can pick up a parking pass from the church office.
Come as you are. Children of all ages are welcome in worship, and a small space in the Narthex with rocking chairs and an activity table serves parents nursing or feeding, and any family needing a quieter moment. Childcare is offered year round. The 10:30 Sunday service is livestreamed for those worshiping from home. Visitors and newcomers can fill out a virtual visitor card online to introduce themselves to the parish. At the corner of First and Ludlow, in the heart of downtown Dayton, Christ Episcopal Church opens its doors to the city.