Laying of Hands Youth Club





















Since 1907, a neighborhood hangout . . .

St. John's is a true presence in Berkeley — socially, educationally, artistically, and spiritually committed to our community. More than three dozen community groups use our facilities. Additionally, parish-related activities make St. John's virtually an all day, everyday operation. St. John's Center, built in 1964, was designed for congregational use. Each room was planned for a particular church activity, except for the ground floor recreation room designed for the rough activities of three Boy Scout troops. In about 1970 the building was paid for by a large bequest which also provided funds for construction of the sanctuary, offices, and music rooms, debt-free. .

As church membership declined and we realized the vastness of our building, in proportion to our needs, we decided to make the building available as a community center. A center endowment fund provided some funds for programs. The building was new and required little maintenance. We saw need for childcare and created a childcare program with some government subsidy for low-income families. We saw need for senior activities and created a senior center in collaboration with the Berkeley Public Schools. The center director was paid with public school adult education funds. We made our space available to Boy and Girl Scout troops and musical groups, including two youth orchestras. And we converted a large room initially planned for junior high activities to a dance room and allowed use of the room by a liturgical dance company, which occasionally participated in our worship services.



Church members were a part of these activities. Scout masters and families often came from the congregation. Many volunteers and participants in the senior center were church members. Many members of our first youth orchestra were children of the church and the orchestra sometimes performed with our church choirs.

Many years later, we opened our doors to 501(c)(3) groups and for public school, city and neighborhood meetings. Our infant care program is still a jewel in the community. Our Senior Center's activity center, graced with help from Berkeley Adult School teachers, continues to be a community get-together for our community's seniors.