Middletown Pastor Ministers to Religious Without a Church

For the last decade, the Rev. Sandra Steele has operated a branch of a non-denominational church, Rock Solid Ministries, in Middletown.

But while this Christian church garners Sunday attendees from as far as Bristol and Hartford, it does not actually have any building of its own. For the past four years, Rock Solid Ministries has held its Sunday services at the .

And that’s the way Steele prefers.

“My passion has always been with the people,” Steele said. “I’m not interested in traditional buildings.”

Buttonwood is located right on Main Street in downtown Middletown. It’s operated by North End Arts Rising Inc. (NEAR) and one of its goals is to “provide artistic and other cultural experiences and programs that are accessible, participatory and unique, and to provide these experiences for audiences in the North End, Middletown, and Central Connecticut and beyond.”

Rock Solid Ministries holds a worship service . Steele said she found out from the center that the room was open so, at the first opportunity, she reserved it.

After four years, the Sunday services are still held there. The services include a prayer session, praise and worship and a collection for the needy.

Steele, an ordained minister for the past 12 years, said the church is a form of outreach ministry, where it moves where needed. The numbers of attendees vary, ranging from as low as 10 people to upwards of 25. Apart from Middletown, many come from around the area.

But what challenges come with running an outreach church with no actual building? For those who are coming to Rock Solid Ministries for the first time, it’s somewhat of an adjustment.

“I think when they initially see the location, at first they’re surprised,” Steele said. “But once they get in the building, it’s fine.”

While perhaps not the norm, Rock Solid isn’t alone in its choice to operate as a church without a church building.

Many evangelical and non-denominational Christian groups run their ministries out of rented spaces first, as a way to save money, but more importantly as a way to remain closer to the faithful, as noted in this Christian Science Monitor article from 2009.

As for how people find out about Rock Solid, Steele said it’s because she has been active in the community on many boards. She listed off a few notable ones, including the Middletown Ministry Alliance, the Middletown High School Building Committee and the board for The Children’s Home.

“I’ve been here 25 years,” she said “Many in the community know me.”