Love grows here

A glimpse into South Main Chapel and Mercy Center

By Sandy Thrasher

ANDERSON—Tucked away in the heart of Anderson, South Main Chapel and Mercy Center is more than just a church. It is a hub of compassion, service and community, where people from all walks of life come together in faith and fellowship.

Guided by the belief that “we are all God’s children,” South Main Chapel and Mercy Center has built a mission around serving the underserved and marginalized. Through their outreach efforts, they provide vital services to those in need, including hot meals, transportation assistance, health care access and support for those seeking rehabilitation and housing.

A mission rooted in service

Each week, South Main Chapel and Mercy Center serves breakfast and lunch five days a week, totaling more than 15,600 hot meals annually. On Sundays after worship, the congregation gathers for a meal provided by a rotating group of “compassion partners”—churches, organizations and individuals who prepare and serve lunch.

This cross-denominational support includes Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopalian and United Methodist congregations, as well as independent groups and volunteers who embrace the mission. Their collective efforts reflect the teachings of Luke 14:12-13, where Jesus calls believers to extend their hospitality beyond close friends and family, inviting those who are often overlooked in society.

“What a joy it is to see people from various backgrounds and faith traditions come together to serve,” said the Rev. Kurt Stutler, who leads South Main. “It’s a beautiful example of God’s love in action.”

Beyond the table: meeting practical needs

The church’s outreach extends well beyond meals.

Over the past year, South Main Chapel and Mercy Center has:

• distributed 8,300 sack lunches to those facing food insecurity;

• provided 5,500 bus tickets to help individuals reach essential services;

• facilitated 1,000 hot showers for people experiencing homelessness; and

• offered 500 Uber rides through their “Ride to Work Anderson” program, which provides 12 weeks of daily transportation for a $5 fee, helping newly employed workers save for their own transportation.

Through the Mercy Center, individuals receive assistance with housing placement, rehabilitation programs, obtaining identification documents and more. An onsite nurse practitioner is available four days a week to provide nonemergency medical care.

A community that laughs, learns and grows together

While meeting basic needs is essential, South Main Chapel and Mercy Center also prioritizes fellowship and spiritual connection. Weekly activities foster a sense of belonging, including Moving on Monday, with a game day led by MawMaw, Stutler’s mother, who plays FastTrack with her many unofficially adopted grandchildren; Turn Around Tuesday, with Angela from Alston Wilkes Society’s community service; Wisdom Wednesday Craft Day, encouraging creativity and conversation; Thankful Thursday Bible Study, a time for deeper reflection and discussion; and daily chapel, providing spiritual nourishment to all who attend.

An open invitation

South Main Chapel and Mercy Center continues to be a beacon of hope in Anderson, welcoming all who seek connection, support and faith.

“For us, this isn’t just about service—it’s about relationships,” Stutler said. “We break bread together, we pray together and we walk this journey together. Love grows here.”

Visitors and volunteers are always welcome to experience firsthand the transformative work happening at South Main.

Learn more at https://southmainmercy.org.

Thrasher is Anderson District lay leader.