Where have all the Christian Coffee Houses Gone? Wichita has Meads Corner Coffeehouse
Wichita Christian Coffee Culture: Where have all the Christian Coffee Houses Gone?
Coffee has a place in todays Christian culture; find high school and college students and chances are you'll find coffee. One thing you don't find as much though are Christian Coffee Houses.
About 10 years ago Christian Coffee Houses were the place to be. But where have they all gone? There seems to have been an evolution in the Christian Coffee House Culture. Many coffee houses, or coffee hangouts have moved in side the walls of the Church. Youth ministries have discovered the pull that a coffee station has on youth.
Churches like
Phoenix First (Arizona),
New Beginnings (Portland Organ),
Prestonwood Baptist Church (Plano Texas) have their own Starbucks. While many other churches have jumped on the coffee train and bought bean roasters, grinders, espresso machines, and serve up a good cup of Joe for their congregation before and after services.
But where are all the Christian Coffee Houses? In Wichita Kansas I have found only one stand alone Christian coffee house. Although the competition in the coffee house industry is great, being the only stand alone Christian one, has not slowed them down at all. In fact, Meads is becoming more popular by Christian and non Christian lovers all the time.
Mead's Corner Coffee House is owned by the First United Methodist Church in Wichita Ks, but the coffee shop itself is not at all physically attached to the Church but located in downtown Wichita, in the business district.
Mead's Corner has broken through the 'Christian coffee house' mold and has made an amazing crossed-over. On just about any given day you can find people of all ages, faiths, and cultures sitting in to enjoy the fair trade coffee while getting a good taste of the culturally, artistically, and socially inspiring experience, from the service, to the drink, to departure.
That's why everyone keeps coming back.
"
We want people to spend time together over coffee, lunch, a latte, a dessert or conversation, in a place that demonstrates love for others, a passion for mission to people in need, and an environment rich in arts and live music. We pray that life-giving relationships will come from our vision." (Source,
Meads Corner website, mission page)
Meads Corner Coffee House is a 'Fair Trade' coffee house too, which is a huge plus for many coffee lovers who understand the history of the coffee industry and the injustices of unfair labor wages, forced child labor, and unsafe working environments.
More information about Fair Trade at Mead's website.
Meads offers an awesome assortment of homemade paninis, biscotti, scones, coffee cake, cookies, and cinnamon rolls the size of my bald head and twice as tasty. They also feature Italian Gelato.
When I ask people why they think that Mead's has become so popular (even having their own following on Twitter) I hear the same things: Great atmosphere, Christian music, Passionate and skilled baristas, really good coffee, and a constant calendar of events: concerts, open mic, worship service, local bands, poetry readings, and bible studies. It also helps that a portion of the profits go to help local schools and and missions.
Meads Corner Coffee House is located at 430 E. Douglas Wichita,KS 67202
Hours are: 7-10pm Mon- Thur, 7-12am Fri- Sat, and 10-6pm Sun
If you have had a chance to stop by Meads Corner Coffeehouse, give a shout out below and let us know why you are a fan.
If you know where a great Christian Coffee House is, feel free to give it a shout out here. Also, if you know of another stand alone Christian Coffee House in Wichita, please e-mail me; I'd love to add them too.
Samuel Connelly
Wichita's Christian Faith & Culture
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Where have all the Christian Coffee Houses Gone? Wichita has Meads Corner Coffeehouse
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