See it here:

Valley Street. The underrated stretch of road with less than a mile of asphalt between Shades Crest Rd and Park Ave. It is well trafficked, and all who traverse it regularly know it has character. There’s a newly completed sidewalk, a welcome addition that finally connects Alford to Park. The homes on Valley include a handful of eye-catching, two-story dwellings. A red light sits at the Alford intersection, one that most of us still haven’t quite figured out how to use properly. On the other end is a pleasant view of the fire station, neat and clean. And a fan favorite: there’s an all downhill route to the Pig.

But the most famous landmark on Valley Street isn’t the sidewalk, the houses, or even the shortcut. It’s the Bluff Park United Methodist Church, whose first building went up in 1912. Over the course of more than one hundred thirteen years, that modest structure has expanded and multiplied, evolving to meet the needs of a growing community.

Twice a year, the church becomes a hub of activity during Bargains on the Bluff, a consignment sale that has become a staple in the neighborhood. Vendors keep a generous seventy percent of their earnings, while the remaining thirty percent covers expenses and supports programs for children and preschoolers. Those funds are what keep the annual Vacation Bible School free of charge for nearly three hundred young participants each summer. For families in Bluff Park, this tradition is priceless. Working even a couple of volunteer shifts during the sale earns community members early shopping privileges, and anyone is welcome to join in, whether selling or working.

At the same time, the United Women in Faith set up their bake sale in the old gym. Tables sag beneath the weight of cakes, pies, cookies, and breads, with every penny raised going directly to missions. The next Spring Sale is already scheduled for February 19th through 21st, and preparations are quietly underway.

The church itself has a history as lively as its present. When it was first founded, only twenty members made up the congregation. A century later, in a single year, the growing Bluff Park Methodist community welcomed forty newborn babies. That kind of growth illustrates just how deeply the church is tied to the heartbeat of the neighborhood. Today, the building is a maze of doors and hallways, each leading
somewhere unexpected. If you wander long enough, you might eventually end up at the pantry—though most find it easier if Julie Adams or Sylvia Sumners are there to guide them.

The pantry isn’t grand or particularly welcoming. It’s tucked away, small and functional, its walls lined with metal racks crammed with canned goods, boxed meals, and other nonperishables supplied by the community food bank for fourteen cents a pound. On the first Wednesday of each month, unless interrupted by a national holiday, the pantry opens its doors. For many residents of Bluff Park, the need it meets remains invisible,but Julie and Sylvia see it firsthand.

“People are hungry in our community,” Adams explains. The two women put their faith into action with minimal barriers. There are no ID checks, no proof of address required—only a short form. In that small room, food becomes hope, and groceries double as answered prayers.

When the pantry is closed, it still serves another purpose. In one corner, Walmart and Piggly Wiggly bags wait, each filled with identical items. These go toward the Weekender Backpacks program, organized through Bluff Park Elementary. Each week, one hundred discreet bags find their way into children’s backpacks. For many of these kids, it may be the only steady source of food until Monday morning. The Methodist Church alone contributes fifty backpacks monthly.

And the outreach doesn’t stop there. The congregation also participates in Rise Against Hunger, Under the Bridge, and hosts a spring Bake & Plant Sale. Of course, every ministry has its limitations, and this one’s budget doesn’t allow for luxuries like pallet jacks or lifts. Donations of time, energy, or supplies are always welcome—membership is not required.

Still, if Julie and Sylvia could be specific, their wish list is short.

“We need men with pickup trucks,” Sylvia says.

“And strong backs,” Julie adds with a smile.