Anyone watching the construction cranes and crews across the street from the Ballston Metro could be forgiven for assuming it would become just another high end high rise in Arlington.
But the story of that property, what it has been and what it is about to become, is much more interesting.
Central United Methodist Church has stood on the corner of Fairfax and Stafford in Arlington since the land was donated by the Ball family in 1906. The cornerstone of the sanctuary was laid in 1923, and the church had two later expansions when construction for an education wing started in 1945, and a decade later a gymnasium was added.
Over the decades, in addition to its gathered congregation, the church has shared its space with Kinhaven Preschool, yoga classes, other churches, martial arts classes, zumba classes, support groups and many other community groups.
The church is conveniently located across the street from the Ballston Metro. It has witnessed the transformation of Ballston from the quiet suburban outpost of Washington, D.C., to the booming high rise center bustling with shopping, restaurants, government contractors, a growing tech industry, education, and other professions.
Central’s congregation has participated in many different areas of mission work over the years. Some efforts are local, like providing backpacks for elementary school children in Arlington, some are global supporting emergency relief efforts.
Two mission areas that have become inseparable from this church are support for homeless resources and advocacy for affordable housing.
The passion for homeless support can be traced largely to a member who worked in mental health and knew homeless individuals who died of exposure during cold weather.
She began driving around on cold nights distributing blankets that she collected, and insisted Central turn its attention outside to the needs of the homeless.
A pivotal moment occurred when several members participated in a prayer walk through Central’s Ballston neighborhood to learn how the church members could better serve the immediate neighborhood.
It was during that walk that church members saw the previously unnoticed numbers of homeless individuals.
The spark of opportunity ignited in this small group to serve the unhoused neighbors who struggled to live just a stone’s throw from Central’s front door.
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