Marty Denzer/Key photo Store director Bobbie Connell works with volunteer Lois Landis as the thrift store is readied for its July 14 grand opening.

The thrift store, at 100 First St. near the town square, held its grand opening on July 14.

It didn't spring from the ground overnight. About eight years ago, members of the century-old Lay Clergy Ministry Alliance began discussing either opening a thrift store or sponsoring temporary housing for the homeless. After an initial flurry of enthusiasm, the discussions went into a state of limbo due to lack of funds, recalled Deacon Gary Kappler of St. Bridget's. Then three years ago, the ministry alliance got a welcome surprise when the Goppert Foundation, which provides funds for community improvements, donated $200,000 to the ministry alliance through its Pleasant Hill Bank.

Deacon Kappler said the alliance was able to purchase a decrepit building near the town square for $33,000.

"It was literarily just three walls and a roof," he said. "The floor was gone. Only the dirt cellar-floor remained. We weren't sure where to begin. The first thing we had to do was hire an architect to research and redesign the space, then go back and forth with the city to get its approval. When the city finally approved the plans, we got to work."

The building, which is more than 100 years old, had been through several incarnations, including a grocery store and a bank, and the architect had to work closely with the local historical society to maintain the historical integrity of the site.

Rev. Kent Deubner, pastor of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), recalled that the building was about to fall down and had no electricity.

Deacon Kappler added that an extension cord was run from the hotel adjoining the building to provide electricity for a power saw. Volunteers helped with the cellar flooring, but the major part of the work was done by a father- and son-in-law team from Sehorn Mechanical contractors down the street.

"We gave the job to the contractor team and they ran with it," Deacon Kappler said. Members of the ministry alliance oversaw the progress.

Rev. Bill Schroeder, pastor of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, said the thrift store is proof that miracles happen.

"My church is right across the street," he said. "When I arrived here two and a half years ago, I was curious about the building with barriers in front and a lot of hammering and sawing going on. Then I began to hear about it at Lay Clergy meetings I attended. And look where we are now."

The main room of the thrift store is stacked and packed with clothing, knick-knacks, accessories, books and kitchen items - a bargain hunter's delight. The interior walls are painted a cool grey, which compliments the north wall of the building, which has been restored back to its original brick and mortar.

The thrift store is a multi-faceted project, Rev. Deubner said. "Here you have an alliance of 11 churches with a strong hands-on involvement in the community. This is our gift to the community and an opportunity for the community to give back, in donations, in volunteers, and in shoppers.

"The Lay Clergy Ministry Alliance is building community and a genuine sense of love and brotherhood," he said.

Deacon Kappler said the original purpose of the thrift store project was to complement the ministry alliance's donation-run "love fund" to care for the poor, but the Holy Spirit had bigger things in mind.

Bobbie Connell had recently retired from teaching economics at the local high school and didn't want to "just sit around." When the construction on the thrift store was nearly completed, the ministry alliance advertised for a store director.

Deacon Kappler said that of more than 10 applicants, Connell was selected for her experience in economics and because her application letter mentioned that she had "prayerfully considered applying for the position because she desired to do something mission."

Connell said that running a thrift store as a mission provides opportunities for regular thrift store shoppers to get bargains, and for people with limited incomes who don't want charity. "Proud people who want to pay for what they want - this helps them keep their dignity."

Rev. Schroeder said the store also brings in funds that will help give moderate income, proud folks what they need, such as emergency assistance.

Deacon Kappler said it was easy to see the Holy Spirit in the people who shop and those who volunteer at the thrift store.

One volunteer was recently widowed when she moved from Arizona to Pleasant Hill. She was able to find a church home at First Christian Church, Rev. Deubner said, but she didn't know what to do with her days.

"I told her about the thrift store," he said, "and suggested she might want to volunteer. She accepted very quickly and began helping Bobbie daily to get ready to open the store and then working here. She is always smiling, and says she's found a purpose," Rev. Deubner said.

Getting ready to open a venture like the thrift store is full of small crises, Deacon Kappler said. "We planned to open for business on June 26, and a few weeks before that we discovered we had all these donated clothes and nothing to hang them on. Fortunately I met a man who clued me in to Wal-Mart's used fixture warehouse in Kansas City, and they donated all the racks."

The ministerial alliance will also operate a Harvester's food pantry out of the back portion of the thrift store. It is still being shelved and stocked, but when operational will serve about 75 families per week. Deacon Kappler said the food pantry, which originally was at First Christian Church, will be open one day a week.

Rev. Deubner said the ministers and lay people in the Lay Clergy Ministerial Alliance wanted the thrift store to be the best. "We never wanted a flea market," he said. "We wanted the presence of Jesus Christ. There were glitches and small crises, but we worked it all out. I have a strong sense that God led us here to this building."

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