LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – A local community center is set to reopen its doors as a public-private partnership breathes new life into the century-old cultural hub.
In June 2023, the Cheryl Allen Center, also known as the Mizpah Center, was purchased by the Philippian Missionary Baptist Church with the hope of reopening the center, which has served the Lima community in some form since 1912.
Plans are now underway as the City of Lima has partnered with the Philippian Community Development Corporation, the mission-driven arm of the church, to restore the building and develop programming to benefit the entire community.
Plans are now underway as the City of Lima has partnered with the Philippian Community Development Corporation, the mission-driven arm of the church, to restore the building and develop programming to benefit the entire community.
“This is not just going to be working with young people, but working with the entire family, because if we empower the parents, the parents can empower the children, and we as a community can raise and be responsible for great citizens within our community and those who are going to be our next leaders,” said Rev. Dr. B. LaMont Monford Sr. of Philippian Missionary Baptist Church.
Mayor Sharetta Smith of Lima emphasized the importance of collaboration in making the project possible.
“This is a project that was supported by our state in the State Strategic Capital Investment Fund, and then the city is coming alongside by providing technical assistance and some pre-development assistance,” Smith said. “But it is really about everyone working together to revitalize those shared community spaces throughout our community.”
The City of Lima is investing $265,000 in services, while the state is providing $2 million in construction funding through the one-time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
The renovation plans include updates to the nearly 7,000-square-foot building, along with a 2,100-square-foot addition for classrooms. Monford hopes to have plans finalized by the end of this year or early 2026, with construction expected to be completed by 2027.
