Central In Our Community

Central sits between the capitol and Minnesota Public Radio. We see ourselves as an important part of our downtown neighborhood and are engaged in city issues. At a crossroads of real life in the city, through our missions and our presence, we try to do good. Like many, many downtown churches with large building facilities, Central has seen decades of significant change. We are in an exciting period, a pivotal time. We will risk becoming the church God needs. We focus on reaching out to new people. We are committed to connecting people with God and with others.

Our building is home to several fantastic and diverse organizations that serve our community in substantial ways. We invite you to explore these programs to learn exactly how Central is in the city for good!

Serving Lunch at Mary Hall

Continuing on the work began in the community as part of the Hunger Initiative, the Mission & Justice Committee has scheduled volunteer opportunities for Central to serve the Saturday lunch meal at Catholic Charities’ St. Paul Opportunity Center (formerly Mary Hall) multiple times throughout the year. To see dates and sign up to volunteer, visit our Volunteer Page.

Wednesday Lunch

Each Wednesday, we host a downtown community lunch beginning at 11:45 a.m.. (Buffet line closes at 1:00 p.m.) All are welcome! We are becoming well known for healthy and affordable gourmet food and a place for good conversation. Requested donation is $10, though no one is turned away for lack of funds. To see each week’s menu, visit our home page.

Donation Drives

Over the course of any given year, Central hosts a variety of donation drives to serve the special needs of community programs. Donation drives have included:

Annual diaper drives to support families with Interfaith Action and Project Home.
Back-to-school supply drives for students in need with the Department of Indian Work and Project Home.
Food donation drives benefitting numerous area food shelves, including Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul and Keystone Community Services.
Financial gifts benefitting non-profit organizations in the Twin Cities as part of VocalPoint Chorus concerts.

The Central Closet

The Central Closet provides free seasonal clothing and is open from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Wednesdays during our Community Lunch. If you have clothing to donate (new or almost-new), please call the church office to find out what is needed and when to drop off your donation.

Presbyterian Coffee Project

The Presbyterian Coffee Project offers a special link between congregations and communities around the world. Central purchases and serves Fair Trade Coffee from Equal Exchange. A warm cup of coffee (or tea) in our hands is perhaps the most tangible daily connection we have with farmers around the world. It represents warmth, hospitality, fellowship, hard work and life’s pleasures both fine and simple. Buying fair trade through the this program ensures that more of the money we spend on coffee reaches the hardworking farmers who actually grow it.

Alternative Gift Market

Central celebrates the season of Christmas, encouraging members and friends to make gifts that will echo in the lives of others in our community and around the world.

Donate to worthy causes, such as Heifer Project (buy a goat!)
Make or purchase mittens, gloves, hats, scarves…. And place on the Mitten Tree
Do some Christmas shopping for Fair Trade items that support our neighbors in other parts of the world. There is beautiful handcrafted jewelry, gifts for the home, and yummy foods from all over the globe.

The Giving Tree

Central celebrates Christmas and has long-supported a “Giving Tree.” Working with strong year-round organizations, Central encourages members and friends to pick out gifts for needy families to be distributed anonymously at Christmas. To see what gift needs exist or to sign up to give, visit our Volunteer Page during the Christmas season.