Grace and Mercy Bible Fellowship finds new home

Photo by Brian Williams Grace and Mercy Bible Fellowship will be holding services inside the First Christian Church on Washington Street in Monte Vista.

MONTE VISTA — Grace and Mercy Bible Fellowship will soon be holding worship services and Bible studies at 200 Washington St., inside the First Christian Church building in Monte Vista.

"We never expected to be in the Adams Street location for an extended length of time. We just needed a small space to help us get gain enough members that we could go somewhere else," said Grace and Mercy Pastor Larry Foster.

In May of last year, Grace and Mercy opened at 212 Adams St. in a vacant commercial storefront that drew criticism and concerns about how commercial spaces should be used. After a four-month special review process with the City, Grace and Mercy was allowed to occupy the space.

"Our goal was to outgrow our space in a year, and we have done that," Foster said.

In October of last year, First Christian Church approached Foster about preaching at their 9:30 a.m. Service. 

First Christian had been without a pastor since Wayne Wittner retired in July of 2020. This started a relationship with First Christian that resulted in the two churches working together on several projects, including the community soup night held on the second Tuesday of every month.

"We work really well together and several of the First Christian members have started attending our Women's Wednesday Bible Study," said Foster.

A discussion began about where Grace and Mercy would meet after their lease at Adams Street expired and First Christian offered to share its building with the new, growing church.

Easter services were being planned and it was decided to hold those services at the First Christian building. It was an easy decision to move all the services to the First Christian building.

"They have a beautiful facility, and we are excited about being able to use it," Foster said.

"We are excited about sharing our facility with Grace and Mercy. We have seen their heart for the community and have worked with them on a couple of events," said Don Noland, trustee for First Christian.

Beginning with Easter on April 4, Grace and Mercy will meet at the First Christian building at 200 Washington St. at 11:15 a.m. First Christian will continue to have its normal 9:30 a.m. service in the building. On Easter, there will be an additional 7 a.m. service with both congregations together.

More information can be found at the website grace-mercy-bible.church.