The Evergreen Campus
A place to gather. A space to grow.
The story of Evergreen goes back to 1988, when a small congregation first began meeting at a steakhouse in Cole Park. They purchased land in 1992, broke ground in 1993, and built much of what stands today with their own hands. From the beginning, Evergreen United Methodist Church was a community shaped by mission and a stubborn inclusivity. And they chose their name deliberately: evergreen as a symbol of God's enduring love, of resilience, and of the natural world that surrounds this place.
At the initiative of Evergreen UMC and with the blessing of the North Carolina Conference, The Local Church merged with Evergreen UMC in September 2025, and that beloved congregation became part of The Local Church.
We received this inheritance with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility. Today, the Evergreen Campus is home to our youth group on Wednesday nights, regular community dinners, a Feed-Well Fridge stocked for neighbors in need, and a community garden open to anyone who wants to dig in. It hosts gatherings, events, and celebrations—open to TLC and the broader Chatham County community alike.
Dreaming what’s next
We're actively exploring how the Evergreen Campus might become something more—a dedicated space for renewal, reflection, and retreat right here in our community. We believe that seeking the welfare of this place, of Chatham County, and everyone who calls it home, is part of what it means to be a Beloved Community. And research consistently shows that access to green space, intentional community, and regular practices of stillness are among the most powerful contributors to mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. That conviction sits at the heart of our growing work around mental health and wholeness—and Evergreen, with its history of care and its roots in this land, feels like a natural home for it.
But this isn't something we're building for the community — it's something we hope to build with it. If you've ever wanted to be a co-creator of the kind of place that makes a community better, more resilient, and more whole, Evergreen might be exactly where you belong. We'd love to hear from you.
In the meantime, the Evergreen Campus is available for meetings, gatherings, and small retreats. If you're interested in using the space for your next event, submit a usage request here, and we'll be in touch.
