Who We Are

Maple City Chapel is strategically aligned with Conservative Mennonite Conference and Willow Creek Association. Known for our creative approach to ministry and strong volunteer base, MCCh uses video technology, live bands and relevant sermons to reach the greater Goshen community. We are from a wide variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds drawn together through our commitment to Jesus Christ to create a community of individuals that love and serve each other. We are committed to preaching the Word of God without compromise. We believe that the Message never changes but the methods of communication certainly do.

Maple City Chapel opened in February of 1971 as the Teen Haven coffee house in downtown Goshen, Indiana. From its beginnings the intent was that young people from the community would find this to be a place where trusting relationships could be developed and salvation in Jesus Christ experienced. As these kids came into relationship with Christ, their hippie-like appearance (remember this was the seventies) was not exactly well received by the traditional church. However, these same churches encouraged this founding group of MCCher's to start their own services to train and disciple these new believers. The first official church service was held on September 5, 1971. By October the facility at 114 West Washington Street was filled with "street kids". In July 1974 the name Maple City Chapel was chosen as a reflection of our mission to be involved in the city of Goshen with its beautiful maple tree-lined streets. Six years later, in 1980, the building was busting at the seams. Overflow seating during the summer months was outside the entrance on the sidewalk along Washington Street. Needing more space, the move was made south of downtown to Bethany Christian High School for the next three years. In 1982, the vacated Brenneman Memorial Missionary Church building at 423 East Jefferson Street was purchased and the group of 145 members began holding services downtown again. MCCh was blessed with steady growth and by 1998 the Jefferson Street facility was at capacity. During this time conversations were initiated and an Expansion Team formed to explore a long term solution to space issues including researching possible locations for a future site. Eventually, through what in retrospect was clearly an act of God, the former Wal-Mart/Hollywood Connections building was acquired and after some relatively minor renovations we moved in and had our first service at 2015 Lincolnway East on July 27, 2003. Today our congregation of 350 has grown to an average attendance of over 700 and the spirit of God continues to bring those that are disenfranchised, those that are seeking and folks that are committed to growing deeper in their walk with God.