At Central Christian Church people are asking, “What’s going on upstairs?” Renovations are taking place to turn the light-filled space that looks out onto the Live Oak canopies into a state-of-the-art wellness center named Westside Wellness. The project is headed up by program director Kirsten Joy Burch of Living Yoga.
Kirsten is a master teacher and yoga therapist who holds an impressive list of certifications in the practice of yoga, holistic services and lifestyle. A strong supporter of holistic medicine, Kirsten teaches traditional yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, Yoga Nidra and more. In the wellness center, classes in tai chi, diet, nutrition and counseling will be offered.
Central is a three-story Mid-Century Modern building that was erected in the early 1950’s when the Disciples of Christ congregation moved from downtown Dallas to the Highland Park location on Westside Drive. Ground was broken at the new six-acre suburban location in 1952 and services began inside the church in 1953.
This era was known as The Dynamic Decade for churches throughout America. It was a decade when the American family was embraced as an institution by men and women seeking normalcy after World War II. The economy was booming and people bought nice cars and homes in the suburbs.
It was a fine time to go to church … and to build. Only a few years passed before plans were underway to expand the space of the new church. After all, the congregation had grown from approximately 350 members attending the downtown location to a whopping 1250 members by 1963 at the new location on Westside.
A parlor, the large fellowship hall and the little chapel were added to accommodate the expanding activities of the church. Currently, the building boasts a fully-operable stage for musical and dramatic productions and a commercial size kitchen. In short, Central has enough space available to accommodate today’s lifestyle for the entire community.
Today, Central is once again a smaller congregation— one with an older membership. But it remains active in the community and the city it loves.
The wellness center will help bring the building alive with people and activities seven days a week instead of just one.
There is already co-working space (office space available for rent). Any why not work in a space overlooking tree-tops rather than streets full of traffic? Brown bag it on a picnic table in the shade of the sprawling Bois D’ Arc tree or a spot near where the roses bloom or in the quiet seclusion of the prayer garden. Whether you choose to dine in fellowship hall or opt for a quick game on the front lawn with a co-worker, at Central, you will avoid the hustle and bustle of a more harried lifestyle.
The one-acre community dog park draws neighbors and their dogs to spend time in the shade of mature live oaks, visiting, reading or playing fetch with their best friend. Church services are held on the first and third Sunday of the month in the park to allow people of any denomination to worship in the casual setting with their dog by their side.
If you have been wondering what’s going on upstairs at Central, or if all this sounds like something that you have been looking for, join Kirsten on Tuesday morning, March 5, at 10:30 a.m. in the church parlor to hear first-hand the wonderful plans that are coming to 4711 Westside Dr. and to get a free demonstration in yoga.
The meeting is open to the public and there is no charge unless you plan to stay for lunch. Lunch is $5.00 per person. Respond by noon on Monday, March 4, to the church office at 214-526-7291 if you plan to attend.