19 Dec Ministry in Unexpected Places: Bringing hope to a Chicago nursing home
Deacon Joel (left) and Father Kyle pray for a resident at Park View on Pentecost.
By Clare VanderWeele
In Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood, an unlikely congregation gathers every Sunday afternoon. A row of wheelchairs is assembled, large-print worship guides are distributed, and residents of Park View Rehab Center join together for Sunday worship. This is Cornerstone Anglican – Edgewater.
How It All Began
Twelve years ago, a local Northwestern University student took his family Christmas caroling to area nursing homes. When he stopped by Park View and discovered they had no church presence, he contacted the rector at Cornerstone Anglican Church (formerly Redeemer Anglican). The parish caught the vision for ministry to these spiritually undernourished residents. What began as occasional visits grew into regular Bible studies, and then weekly worship services, taking root as a new congregation: Cornerstone-Edgewater.
Deacon Joel Brown began leading this ministry in 2018. When asked to consider stepping into this leadership role, he spent some time soul-searching and questioning the Lord: “Wow, nursing homes? That sounds like a tough space. Mental illness, wheelchairs, all the smells—I don’t know about all that.”
But what started as hesitation has blossomed into a vibrant ministry that touches lives, builds relationships, and awakens a hunger for the Lord. Deacon Joel moved past his initial discomfort by simply getting to know the residents as real people—asking about their favorite music or what they love to do, hearing stories from their past, and their hopes for the future. “That’s been helpful for breaking down the otherness barrier,” he reflects. “The Lord has softened me to see how deeply loved these people are.”
“The Lord has softened me to see how deeply loved these people are.”
Deep Need Meets Transforming Grace
The need is significant. Park View is a publicly funded nursing home where, like many similar facilities, resources are stretched thin. A National Institutes of Health study found that only 25 percent of such facilities meet state standards for employee contact hours per patient. With no chaplains on staff and limited spiritual care options, the residents face not just physical challenges but spiritual isolation too.
Yet in this unlikely setting, God’s grace abounds. Every week, up to 33 residents regularly participate in services led by Deacon Joel and his core team of four lay leaders from Cornerstone Anglican.
The ministry takes creative approaches to ensure full participation—from large-print worship guides to inviting residents to read Scripture during services.
At the heart of their worship space hangs a mosaic created in collaboration with the residents themselves. They painted individual tiles that were designed to form a striking image of the Lamb of God resting in green pastures beneath a vibrant blue sky. Placed reverently at the altar, this collaborative artwork is a tangible reminder that this is their church, their sanctuary, where each person’s contribution helps create something beautiful for God’s glory.
“These are people eager to meet the Lord and receive hope from Him,” Deacon Joel says. The ministry has witnessed profound transformations, like that of “Deanna,” a former Messianic Jew who had walked away from faith in her twenties. Through years of faithful encouragement, she not only reconnected with God but became an enthusiastic evangelist within the facility, inviting others to Bible studies and services.
The congregation faces unique challenges, particularly the constant transitions as residents move in and out of the facility. But even these trials reveal God’s broader work. When Deanna eventually moved to independent living, she carried her renewed faith into the wider world. Similarly, a Mormon resident named “Adam” has returned after two years. He is now exploring the Apostles’ Creed and reconsidering his beliefs through conversations with the ministry team.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Deacon Joel and his team envision expanding their impact through mentoring and discipleship relationships between Cornerstone members and Edgewater residents. They’re also exploring ways to enrich residents’ lives through arts and music programs. In a facility where television often provides the main stimulation, opportunities for creative engagement are precious. Connections between the two communities are already bearing fruit.
Their annual Advent “Adopt a Resident” outreach is now in its third year. Cornerstone members eagerly sign up to prepare personalized gift boxes for about 50 Park View residents, carefully selecting items from wish lists provided by each resident. The initiative has sparked joy on both sides—bringing Christmas cheer to the residents while giving Cornerstone members a tangible way to extend love to their brothers and sisters at Park View.
Father Kyle Oesch, rector of Cornerstone, adds: “Although they may not be able to join us in the pews at Cornerstone on a Sunday morning, the residents at Park View are an important part of our church family.” He notes how this simple Advent giving has strengthened the bonds between the two communities.
The Park View ministry has also emerged as a nurturing ground for new preachers to develop their gift for sharing God’s Word. The residents’ receptive nature creates an encouraging environment free from the pressure of performance. Looking ahead, Deacon Joel envisions opportunities for preachers from other churches to gain experience proclaiming the Gospel in this special setting.
“These are spaces in our neighborhoods full of people precious to God who He uses to build His kingdom,” Deacon Joel reflects. “His work of transformation is always rippling outwards, in every part of our communities.” In a world that often overlooks these forgotten members of our society, Cornerstone-Edgewater testifies to God’s presence in unexpected places.
If you’re curious about starting a nursing home ministry or would like to stop by Cornerstone-Edgewater for a visit, please email Deacon Joel at joelb@cornerstoneanglican.com.
Clare VanderWeele is a member of Church of the Resurrection and lives in Wheaton with her husband Mike and three children. A writer at heart and a lover of words and books, she works as VP of Marketing for a digital marketing agency.
