PHOTO BY EDIE LE BOUTON

August 2026; Mosaic Faith Church Pastor Matt Whisenhunt in his office. The Mosaic Faith Church resulted from the merger of the congregations of St. Paul’s Community United Church of Christ, Bridge United Methodist Church and Franklin Circle Disciples of Christ.

by Edie Le Bouton

   (Plain Press October 2026) Three different congregations have merged into one and renamed the congregation to Mosaic Faith Church.

   Saint Paul’s Community United Church of Christ, Franklin Circle Disciples of Christ and Harbour and Bridge United Methodist Church are now one congregation.

   Pastor Matt Whisenhunt is the lone pastor for these three congregations.

   Before the merger, Pastor Whisenhunt said the three pastors met regularly as a support mechanism for all. Richard Hinkleman, the pastor at Franklin Circle Disciples, Emily Kolp Ashby, the pastor at St. Paul’s, and Matt Whisenhunt, the pastor at Harbour and Bridge, decided that there was a sense of a partnership together.

   They began having church services together three times during the summer. When Pastor Kolp Ashley was called to a church in Kent, Ohio, it sparked more collaboration between the three congregations. When Pastor Hinkleman left for a job at a seminary the board of the Franklin Circle Disciples oversaw the sale of the building. Pastor Whisenhunt was named the interim pastor.

   In 2025, the congregants of the sold Franklin Circle Disciples church joined the congregations of Harbour and Bridge United Methodist Church and Saint Paul’s Community United Church of Christ, where church services are held.

   In the formation of the Mosaic Faith Church, a 501/c nonprofit organization, administrative duties and due diligence are being done by the new board from the three churches. The board is making sure that they do the merger the right way and not infringe on any one denomination, being careful not to offend.

   Each respective church does Bible classes, hospitality, and mission work. Teams of people from all three churches keep track of congregants who are hospitalized, are sick, birthdays and more.

   At Harbour and Bridge United Methodist Church, there is a Recovery Home with five, soon to be six, beds. It is for men and women, but no children. The house manager was specific about creating a recovery home for all genders.

   Saint Paul’s has a 20-year-old outreach program that is open three days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – that helps with food, hygiene and housing. A new art program has started, with classes on Wednesday, for unhoused people to do artwork together. A new program is planned to help young men and women aging out of the foster care system. “Emancipated,” as Pastor Whisenhunt said, adding that Cleveland State has a program to help the emancipated individuals.

   Pastor Whisenhunt said they are expanding to try and get families and young people into the church, using outreach and missions.

   “The congregants, who are the Mosaic Faith Church, just want to give support and work with other people,” said Pastor Whisenhunt. “To get smaller churches to become able to reach the neighborhoods so they can be more effective is one of our goals.”

   “Mosaic Faith really wants to be a community church that reflects the hopes of this neighborhood,” said Paster Whisenhunt, adding “for people looking for a church that helps them connect with faith in a way that matters.”

   The congregation size is about 50 people on Sunday mornings. Services are held at Saint Paul’s Community United Church of Christ. A second service is planned at Harbour and Bridge Methodist Church in the coming months.

   Saint Paul’s Community United Church of Christ is located at 4427 Franklin Boulevard.

   Harbour and Bridge United Methodist Church is located at 4321 Bridge Avenue.

   The Harbour and Bridge building was built by Germans. The stained-glass windows inside the church are original and each window has the names of Germans in memoriam, who probably helped fund the new church.

   Pastor Whisenhunt said, “People are welcome to email me.” His email address is mattw@harborandbridge.com

   A website is being developed as well. Look for it at Mosaicfaithcommunity.org

   This Sunday at 10:30 a.m. the service will be at Saint Paul’s Community United Church of Christ at 4427 Franklin, you are welcome to come and join the other 50 congregants to hear Pastor Whisenhunt’s sermon.