West Central Abbey nurtures urban monastic setting

With its new name, West Central Abbey, the Episcopal church hopes to convey an urban monasticlike life on its 1 acre property in West Central Neighborhood in Spokane, Wash. Under the stewardship of a minister and a vicar, and help from its congregational partners, the Abbey houses the historic Trinity Chapel, where the ecumenical congregation Creator’s Table worships; a vicarage; the commons, which has a dining hall that serves free meals weekly to those who are in need; and has a small farm operating on it. The West Central Abbey aims to be similar to an urban monastery, “a sacred place in the heart of West Central where all are invited to co-create justice, joy, compassion and peace,” Vicar Rev. Jonathan Myers said.

Section:Gallery

Thu., Aug. 27, 2020

The Rev. Katy Shedlock, who is the West Central Abbey minister and member of Creator’s Table, and the Rev. Jonathan Meyers, who is an Episcopal Diocese vicar and also a member of Creator’s Table, stand for a portrait Monday in the historic Trinity Chapel at West Central Abbey in Spokane.

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Vibrant stained-glass windows are seen through a window of the historic Trinity Chapel on Monday.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-R
The historic Trinity Chapel is seen in the West Central Neighborhood of Spokane.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-R
Carla Martinez, co-coordinator of the Spokane chapter of Herbalists Without Borders, gathers up a hose on Monday in the herb garden that the Herbalist Guild tends to as a partner of the 1-acre West Central Abbey in Spokane. Herbalists Without Borders donates herbs to women in transition and also to the Community Garden Alliance that distributes weekly them at Polly Judd Park to those in need.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-R
Vegetable plants are seen in a garden managed by the River City Youth Ops on Monday on the 1-acre West Central Abbey. Nicknamed “The Farm,” the group contributes some produce to community dinners and sells at local farmers markets.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-R
The commons building, constructed in 1904, is seen on the 1-acre West Central Abbey that is tucked into the West Central Neighborhood of Spokane.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-R