It got my attention anyway. I walked into Bev's Corner with no expectations and found a comfortable living room like area with stacks of books lining the shelves and some well-worn couches in the corner by the window. Further in I could see card tables set out, and maybe a dozen people or so either using them to play cards (it looked like UNO) or eating bagels and drinking soda. On the far side, a band stage was set up, ready for Jacob's Well Coffeehouse and their Christian music. The soft buzz in the air was made up of several contented conversations - some about God, Jesus, or the bible, and some about life, the street, and job searching. No one at Bev's Corner had any place to be, and no one at Bev's Corner felt ostracized because of it.
The little space operates in conjunction with Union Church; the pastor's office, in fact, is right down the hall. It's founder is Larry Meehan. He says he and his wife had wanted to start a program like this when they retired. Unfortunately, he lost his wife before that day came. But Larry pushed on. He says God has given him the strength to provide guidance and comfort to those in need, be they coming from the shelter up the road, from the street itself, or just popping in out of curiosity, as I did.
Starting a little over a year ago, with just one visitor in its first six weeks, Bev's Corner has blossomed into an active and constructive hang-out, with dozens stopping by each day.
The Corner is involved with charity work, and recently helped victims of an apartment building fire that all but gutted a five-family house.
To hear the whole story and learn more about Bev's Corner, click here.
The Corner is also a big part of JesusFest, a growing religious block party in the Rockville downtown. JesusFest will take place on July 12 this year, and if you choose to go, be sure to make a stop at Bev's Corner - Larry says a coffee, a bagel and God will waiting for you.
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