Mars Hill Church opens in ex-Tabella nightclub

Worshippers streamed into the brick building in Belltown, many of them young and hip -- sporting goatees, jeans and hoodies under their blazers.

The pastor, Tim Gaydos, talked about how isolating big cities can be. He touched on themes of transformation, reflection and creating "genuine community."

		Jim Bryant / P-I
	Pastor Tim Gaydos stands outside as worshippers arrive Sunday for opening-day services at Belltown's Mars Hill Church, housed in the building that was formerly the Tabella nightclub.

"We're all about Jesus," said Gaydos, a 33-year-old Seattle native. "We're not about religion. Religion sucks. ... And this is not your mom's or grandma's church."

That's for sure.

The 400 or so people who attended the first service at Mars Hill Church's new downtown campus Sunday were witnesses to a startling transformation: They heard a sermon while seated on the former dance floor of one of Seattle's most notorious nightclubs.

At Tabella Restaurant and Lounge, the music was loud, the crowds rowdy.

Seattle police often raced to the club to break up brawls.

The final straw came last summer, when a fight ended with someone drawing a gun and firing several shots inside the club.

An 18-year-old woman was wounded in the leg.

That incident prompted Mayor Greg Nickels to ask the state to yank the club's liquor license, and Tabella shut down for good a short time later.

In October, Mars Hill bought the two-story, 15,000- square-foot building on Western Avenue for nearly $4 million, making the Belltown venue its sixth campus.

The church sank about $370,000 into the renovation, with volunteers spending months ripping up carpet and painting walls, Gaydos said.

When a worker was installing wiring, a black bag dropped from the ceiling. Inside was a crack pipe and cocaine. Police had to be called -- one more time.

The new interior eschews traditional stained-glass windows and crosses for a mod-style orange-and-gray color scheme, with lime-green chairs and a downstairs espresso machine.

The remaining go-go dancer's cage has been converted into a coat hanger.

The condom dispenser is now a diaper-changing station.

"It's amazing how God can change things," said Sarah Rosenberger, a 29-year-old Lynnwood mother who attended Sunday's service with her infant son.

The service opened with songs from a rock band, Team Strike Force, whose singer talked about how Jesus laid down His life for others.

Gaydos and fellow pastor Mark Driscoll discussed the meaning of Good Friday, sin and atonement, and the need to be forgiven and spiritually cleansed.

Before the service, Port Orchard resident Amanda Jones sat in the church's cafe area with her friends. They'd caught an early-morning ferry to make it on time.

Jones, 26, moved from Georgia about a month ago and heard about the church from a friend.

"I like the fact that they're open to being who you are," she said.

Another first-timer, Tim Adams, 46, said he'll probably go back, but offered a few minor suggestions: add lighting to the sanctuary; turn down the volume.

Down the street at Elbasha Cafe, manager Sam Alramahi recalled how often police cruisers used to pull up to the club to quell late-night fights.

"We're very glad we have a church there," said Alramahi, who lives in the neighborhood. "It saves us hassles."