Seattle's Mars Hill Church Opens Site in Former Nightclub

Where liquor used to flow freely, now it’s God’s Word that’s overflowing people’s cups.

Seattle-based Mars Hill Church, a multi-site megachurch, recently opened a worship center in the former Tabella Restaurant and Lounge, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The church now has a presence in the Belltown entertainment district, a place laden with bars and clubs. It seems to cater to the church’s target demographic: young, hip 20- and 30-somethings.

Pastor Tim Gaydos told the Post-Intelligencer that the church bought the building for nearly $4 million after the club lost its liquor license. Then, Mars Hill spent $370,000 in renovations before opening the doors to the two-story, 15,000 square-foot building in mid-March.

The house of worship drew around 400 attendees for its initial service, but no one came expecting stained-glass windows and organ music. Mars Hill - Downtown maintains a modern vibe with orange-and-gray walls, neon green seats and an espresso café. Fittingly, they rock out with a contemporary service.

Perhaps the new Mars Hill Church campus, which is one of six locations, is still in touch with its club roots and has taken a step toward reconciling trendiness with biblical Christ-following.