The Grace Place ministry was founded at Galloway in 2007. It started as passing out a snack bag through the church door to neighbors who came knocking. As we got to know our neighbors, they became friends, and we started to realize there were more gifts, graces and needs to be shared together. Grace Place has turned into a community that gathers around the table for a hot meal four mornings a week. Grace Place recognizes the dignity of all persons by seeking authentic, grace-filled relationships, focusing on loving one another amid difficult life challenges. Each morning before breakfast we have either prayer or a worship service in which all are invited, but none are required to participate. Worship and breakfast are the two activities that have remained constant. Other ways of sharing together have evolved and fluctuated over the years to respond to the needs and desires of the community and with the availability of resources.
Grace Place embodies one of the beauties of Methodism, connectional ministry. While Grace Place is housed at Galloway, many other churches and organizations participate in the community as part of our connection.
Grace Place meets in “The Foundery at Galloway.” It was formerly the United Methodist Conference building on the corner of Congress Street and Mississippi Street. When the Conference Office moved, Galloway purchased and renovated the building. The name “The Foundery” emphasizes the rich heritage we have as Methodists, reminding us of our beginnings as a denomination and calling us to action. The Foundery in London was one of the early Methodist bases for works of piety and mercy. In 1738 John Wesley, founder of Methodism, purchased a building formerly used for casting cannons, and organized one of the first Methodist societies there. In addition to religious services, other ministries occurred on the premises such as childcare, a clothing source, a school, a publishing house and weekly prayer meetings. Just as the early Foundery first re-purposed metal, under Wesley it repurposed lives.
