Spokane’s Diversity Hotspots: Church!

   Refugee communities are often bound together by religion, and to a far greater extent than the American populace at large (which is gradually moving into a post-religious era as a result of the American church's myopia). Although these places are not necessarily diverse—refugee churches still tend to segregate themselves along ethnic lines—they do maintain different ethnicities than present in Spokane at large. Today we look at the bustling Slavic community in Spokane. If you've driven downtown, you've probably noticed the large Slavic Baptist Church on the corner of Lincoln and 2nd. If you're like me, you've probably admired it while stopped at the light—noticing the abundance of well-dressed men, shawl-clad women, and surly teenagers in leather jackets, and internally lauding yourself for living in a city that has people from somewhere else hanging out right in the middle of downtown. If you're like me, you've probably never even considered attending a service at the church.

   Well, here's your chance! There are three Slavic Baptist Churches in Spokane: The Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church, on 2nd and Lincoln, Grace Slavic Baptist Church, 5116 West Garden Springs Road, and Spokane Slavic Baptist Church, at 89130 North Middleton Drive. There is also Bethlehem Slavic Church, at 302 West Augusta Avenue.

   You never know—you might attend one of these churches, and discover that you have more in common with it than you thought. It might inspire you to learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet, speak Russian or Ukrainian, and become a part of increased diversity in somebody else's church.