By Faith Boone 

As the Rev. Charles Graves IV walks throughout the 37,000-square-foot Christ Episcopal Church, he points out different rooms such as the Main Sanctuary, the Sunday School classroom for children, and the Columbarium holding previous parishioners’ ashes. He says if there was one word to describe Christ Episcopal Church — it’s community. Today, Graves is looking to enhance the Church’s community by collaborating with more local businesses.
After arriving in Cleveland in fall 2024 to become the newest rector for Christ Episcopal Church, Graves launches what he calls the “Year of Discovery” — which aims to refocus the congregation on the Church’s long-standing mission statement centering on love, discovery, and justice. That includes wrapping the Church’s arms tighter around the business community.

Connecting with the Business Community 

The given size of the Church lends itself to be a special resource for business vendors focused on arts and wellness, Graves says. Over the years, the Church has invited vendors from all over to host workshops and classes in the building’s biggest room other than the main sanctuary — the parish hall. Down a flight of stairs educational tutors, fitness and dance instructors, youth groups, theatre performers, and more rent space to share their own expertise with the community.

“Most of [the vendors] are folks that we’ve connected with through word of mouth and community connections,” Graves says. “As far as I know, we’ve never advertised this space. Some are folks who knew our parishioners or, a lot of times, previous tenants have recommended folks.”

Graves says collaborating with local businesses is a way for the Church to stay involved in the community in an innovative way. He welcomes other local business owners to rent space in the Church, and hopes to also host more events such as weddings, receptions, galas, and fundraisers. Graves says the standard rental charge for a small office at the Church is $275 per month. Other larger spaces or spaces that also include a storage fee rent for between $500 to $700 per month.

Future Business Plans for the Church 

Graves says each year, every Episcopal church holds an annual meeting in January. At this year’s annual meeting, Christ Episcopal Church will launch its five-year strategic plan. Graves hopes that the first year of the plan will focus on engaging and reengaging conversations with residents and business leaders.

“I want to reach out to every single business and business leader in Shaker, Warrensville and Beachwood and say, ‘Tell us about you. Tell us about what your hopes, dreams, desires, and needs are for this community. And, if you want partnership, connection and support in some way, how can we do that together?’ If this year is a year of discovery, next year might be a year of exploration — or connection.” Graves says.

Graves hopes — in conjunction with the Shaker Heights Youth Center and the City of Shaker Heights, that the Church can develop an after-school program for youth. Graves said the Church could potentially operate the program on weekday afternoons and weekends, and would purchase a van to provide transportation for students.

“If [students] want to learn how to do art, they can do art. They want to learn how to do music, theatre, fitness, cooking — I mean, we got it all,” Graves says. “I think that’d be an amazing thing for us to be able to offer the city.”

Graves says there is much more to the Church’s community than just attending on Sundays. It’s all about collaboration and connection.

“Every time I talk to a business leader around town, I realize that there are points of connection that I had not even thought about. We really want to genuinely serve the community. If a person never, ever goes to church on Sunday, that’s okay,” he says. “How can we partner together to support the broader needs of the community, whether it’s around youth, anti-racism, breaking down barriers, or combating loneliness — how can we support our community together?”

—
Christ Episcopal Church is located at 3445 Warrensville Center Road in Shaker Heights. Local business vendors interested in renting space at the Church can call 216-991-3432 or email parishadm@cometochristchurch.org. Vendors must complete a background check and Child Safety Training.

Christ Episcopal Church became a Cuyahoga East Chamber of Commerce member in September 2025. View the Christ Episcopal Church member profile here and visit the Church’s website here.