New Church Hopes to Fill Vacant Western Avenue Storefront

Carmelo Laboy looked at almost 30 spaces for the home of his new church. But when he stepped into a storefront at Western and Montrose avenues, he said he knew right away: “this is home.”

Laboy and his wife, Lisa, spent the last 8 years studying at The Door Christian Center in Chandler, Arizona. Now, the two have returned to Chicago to start their own place of worship—also called The Door Christian Center.

As of July, their congregation is small—about 10 people that come with their families to attend service. The pastor said he wanted somewhere that attendees could travel to easily by bus or train.

“It’s something that I prayed on,” Laboy said. “I felt like I wanted to go into that area—it would be a good spot for the church.”

The 2,200-square-foot storefront at 4351 N. Western Ave. was formerly The Bamboo Massage Parlor, which closed in 2008. 

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But before the church becomes a reality, the pastor must obtain a special use permit from the city. He submitted a request through the ward zoning process, but Ald. Ameya Pawar (47) didn’t take a position, neither approving nor denying the project. As a result, Laboy will now have to go downtown to get the permit.

Landlord Silvino Munoz gave his approval, along with the building’s other tenants, which are apartment residents.

If approved for the permit, The Door Christian Center hopes to be open in September, Laboy said.

Three Sunday services each week will combine Christian music and a sermon. In the future, Laboy said he wants to host another service on Wednesday night along with Bible Studies during the week. He envisions a space where congregants can gather in a coffee house-type atmosphere before and after church.