“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

- the Apostle Paul, Letter to Philippians 2:3

Loving our Neighbors since 1984

For over 40 years, we have witnessed God demonstrate his faithfulness to our neighbors through the work of our team and volunteers. His Love for our neighbors continues today.

Our History

WHY THE NAME, “The Root Cellar”?

In 1984, Munjoy Hill community in Portland was not a desirable place to live. Crime and poverty rates were high in the densely populated neighborhood, known as the “2nd Larges White Ghetto” in the US. A small group of Mennonite missionaries saw the need and responded by opening up a teen center in the dirt floor basement of a local church. The basement had been used as a root cellar for the community in previous years and the name stuck.

GROWING IN PORTLAND

In 2001 we opened a 15,000 SQFT community center on Washington Ave in Portland. At the same time, we began to focus much of our ministry on responding to the needs of the growing immigrant and refugee community.

EXPANDING TO LEWISTON

In 2006, we expanded to Lewiston, Maine’s 2nd largest city. Specifically, we moved into the Tree Streets Neighborhood. This diverse and gritty community is home to the highest density of poverty and youth in the state.

CHANGING FROM CHARITY TO DEVELOPMENT

In 2012, the staff and board began to shift away from the charity model of “doing things for” the poor, to the development model of “doing things with” those in need. We now see our neighbors not as problems to be fixed, but as mutually encouraging friendships. We work together to seek the peace of our cities.

We are proud to work alongside our neighbors, responding together to needs and transforming our cities through declaring and demonstrating the Way of Jesus.

Cultivating Wholeness in our Cities

  • We engage neighbors and volunteers to cultivate social, economic and spiritual wholeness as part of God’s Kingdom.

  • WELCOME

    We are hospitable to all, recognizing each person as an image bearer of God.

    COMPASSION

    We act when we see injustice

    SHALOM (GOD’S PEACE)

    WE JOIN GOD IN HIS WORK OF RECONCILIATION; SEEING THAT WHICH IS BROKEN REDEEMED TO NEW LIFE.

    INTERDEPENDENCE

    WE EMPOWER ONE ANOTHER, HUMBLY GROWING TOGETHER AS WE RELY ON EACH OTHERS STRENGTHS.

    GOD’S KINGDOM

    WE SEEK TO SEE GOD’S KINGDOM COME AND HIS WILL BE DONE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

  • The Board and staff of The Root Cellar do our best to love and serve Jesus. The Root Cellar subscribes to the historic Apostles' Creed.