CLEVELAND — In 2016, Pastor Josh Miller and his family moved to Cleveland with a vision to start a non-denominational Christian church that would engage a new generation of believers.
Eight years later, that vision has evolved into something extraordinary -- a church community flourishing in the most unexpected of places.
Cove City Church, led by Miller, began its journey on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, drawing in young college students. It was a promising start, but the COVID-19 pandemic dealt the church a significant blow.
“We went from a large population and a large community back to about 20 people,” Miller said. “You begin to ask yourself, like, what am I really about? Is this worth it? Did I make a mistake?”
Amid the challenges, Miller turned to prayer and reflection. That’s when he says a new path became clear: Relocating the church to a unique space on St. Clair Avenue in downtown Cleveland -- what he describes as “strip club alley.”
The transition wasn’t without its surprises.
“We didn’t realize there were underground nightclubs happening on weekends,” Miller said. “It was kind of a shocking moment for us, like, OK, how do we handle this?”
Rather than shying away from the unconventional location, Cove City embraced it as an opportunity to serve the community.
“How can we be a light in a dark space?” Miller asked. “Part of that was the simple things like making sure the lot across the street is mowed, cleaning up the street and picking up all the trash post-partying.”
Over time, the congregation grew, as did the church’s vision for the future. One of their prayers centered on acquiring a neighboring building -- a former strip club called The Velvet Rope.
In March 2023, that prayer was answered. Cove City purchased the building and began renovating it, with plans to create a larger gathering area and a coffee shop where community members can connect.
For Miller, this transformation is about more than physical spaces; it’s about redefining what faith and church can look like for a younger generation.
“Young adults are not leaving their faith -- they’re rethinking what it looks like for them,” he said. “I think they want to see a church that is excited about seeing change within the community and thinking beyond the four walls of a Sunday morning.”
As Cove City continues its mission, Miller hopes the former strip club turned church will symbolize an open door for anyone seeking faith, belonging or a sense of community.
“God didn’t bring us this far to just leave us out to dry,” Miller said.
The renovations are ongoing, but the church’s commitment to outreach and service remains steadfast, with hopes that their work will continue to inspire and uplift the Cleveland community.