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Former church to serve as support center in Quinnesec

By Terri Castelaz 8 min read

QUINNESEC -- A former Quinnesec church that sat vacant for years is getting a new purpose -- not as a traditional event center or conventional nonprofit -- but as a place where any person or group can find a helping hand.

That's the vision behind Lavender Skies, a new nonprofit formed by Joey Hawthorne and his partner, Cheri LaPointe.

"We are trying to break the mold, by creating something unique with Lavender Skies," Hawthorne said.

The couple is opening the former church at 3300 Menominee St. in Quinnesec to the community with a soft opening planned from noon to 4 p.m. Friday. The public is invited to tour the facility and its grounds, meet Hawthorne and LaPointe, and enjoy refreshments and snacks.

For both, the concept is simple: Lavender Skies is here to help, regardless of the need or cause.

The new support center officially received its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in March. They’ve yet to begin accepting donations, but are already working on a long list of ways the organization can serve the community.

Their motto is "Where Memories are Made."

"We are a nonprofit legally, but at the heart of it, this is simply a home we're sharing with the community to provide needed services," Hawthorne said.

Lavender Skies is about considerably more than entertainment. Hawthorne and LaPointe envision the facility as a place of protection and safety where people can find help, support, fellowship or simply someone willing to listen.

They plan to feed those in need and host community meals.

The lower level of the building includes a large kitchen, pantry, dining area and restroom.

The pantry provides enough storage for roughly six months of food, Hawthorne said, while large refrigeration units can accommodate several turkeys and hams.

Hawthorne has a passion for cooking that dates back to his younger years when he attended culinary school.

A coffee bar, flavored juices and a cereal bar are already part of the setup. He plans to add a cold buffet, alongside his existing hot service station.

"I enjoy cooking and I'm looking forward to serving my first community meal," he said.

A long table fills part of the dining area for guests.

The lower level is also being designed to provide emergency housing for community members who suddenly find themselves without a place to stay.

"We have the space here, so why not," Hawthorne said.

Beyond basic needs, the couple envision the building as a place where people can find emotional support.

"We are going to be here for anyone who is struggling," Hawthorne said. "Anyone who just needs to talk and needs genuine help, we are here."

They welcome people who have ideas for support groups or services that could benefit the community.

Helping veterans is particularly personal for Hawthorne.

His father and uncles were disabled Marine veterans, and he said he witnessed firsthand the difficulties they experienced.

"I saw what they had to go through -- it's very hard," he said. "We need to be there for them who put their lives on the line."

LaPointe brings her own experience to Lavender Skies.

She recently retired from her position as a receptionist at Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson's cancer center. After years of being the first person many patients encountered, she said the emotional connection became increasingly difficult.

That experience helped shape another part of its mission. "We are going to be a cancer patient support group," LaPointe said.

She explained the group will be informal rather than structured, providing an opportunity for patients and caregivers affected by cancer to gather, talk and build friendships.

The response so far has been encouraging, LaPointe said.

LaPointe also has a 10-acre cabin in Republic with water-frontage that she hopes to incorporate into the nonprofit's mission. The cabin could provide a place for someone who needs more solitude.

"Cancer patients and disabled veterans can come here and hang out for a couple hours, get fellowship and friendships," LaPointe said. "But, if they need more than that, we want to be able to open up the cabin so they have that place of tranquility."

Lavender Skies won't be limited to support services.

They are developing a calendar of events that could include comedy shows, mystery dinner theater, live entertainment, art and vendor fairs, farmers markets, festivals, games and a speed-dating event.

Their first event will be a speed-dating gathering, tentatively set for Sept. 26.

"I want to recreate the 'Dating Game.' I think it would be so fun," Hawthorne said.

Special functions will also have a designated charity, with proceeds directed toward that organization.

"We aren't just going to be raising for one organization," Hawthorne said. "We are going to be the glue for everybody. When a good cause needs additional help, we are here for them."

The couple are particularly supportive of local animal shelters and plan to have them as one of their first fundraising beneficiaries.

Memorial services, family reunions, company parties and meetings are also among the events Lavender Skies can accommodate.

"A wedding is already booked for this month," said LaPointe.

Hawthorne, who is ordained, can also officiate ceremonies.

LaPointe added that the venue could host New Year’s Eve celebrations, Super Bowl parties and other gatherings.

The couple say rental rates will be kept low, with any generated profits going back into supporting the organization’s causes.

The couple say one of Lavender Skies' greatest assets is the amount of indoor and outdoor space available.

If a group wants to organize a volleyball tournament, dodgeball competition or another activity, Hawthorne said they will find a way to make the space work.

"Whatever your needs are -- indoor or outdoor -- the facility is trying to take care of it," he said. "Because it's all for helping other people."

In the future, Hawthorne hopes to host drive-in-style movie and picnic nights.

They are also considering creating a YouTube channel to showcase events and activities taking place in Quinnesec.

With summer already winding down, LaPointe said they aren’t sure how many of their ideas will fit into this year's schedule.

But they have plenty of plans for the future.

The building where all of this will take place has a long history in Quinnesec. The former St. Mary Catholic Church was dedicated in October 1916. Its final Mass was held in 1995, after which the church closed.

In 1996, the structure was sold for $1 to the Menominee Range Historical Foundation with plans to transform it into a space displaying the history of the mainline religions of the Menominee Iron Range and surrounding regions. Those plans never materialized.

The building was sold again in 1999 to Christ Temple Church of the Church, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Eventually, that congregation also vacated the building, and it sat unused for several years.

"Learning all the history of this church has been very cool," Hawthorne said.

When Hawthorne discovered the property was still available, he was surprised.

"I was shocked it was still on the market," he said.

He had previously converted another church into a home and regretted selling it. This time, he decided to take a chance on the historic Quinnesec structure.

"It's such a cool area," he said. "It's so quiet. I just love this place."

In 2021, Hawthorne moved into the former church. Since then, he has poured time, energy and his own vision into renovating the property.

Among the major improvements is a 1,200-square-foot outdoor deck with six 55-inch televisions for viewing.

Inside, he has installed new lighting and a 150-inch screen in the main gathering area, incorporated many furnishings and decorations from the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore and replaced flooring in the lower level.

His Los Angeles roots are also reflected in the décor, from the high-tech lighting and sound system inside to two large pink flamingos that will eventually stand on the deck near a tiki hut.

Hawthorne's path to Quinnesec is far removed from where he began.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in downtown Los Angeles, he grew up with eight other family members in a one-room apartment. "It wasn't an ideal situation," he said.

Gang fights were common. Gunshots and helicopters were part of the environment, and he remembers police helicopter lights shining into the windows every night.

Music became his escape.

He began deejaying and eventually took his career around the world.

After retiring, he began looking at his life differently.

"I looked around and I own this place. I made it everything I wanted. Everything is done and paid for," he said. "I remember the steps I had to take. It's time to just give back."

The soft opening Friday will give the public its first opportunity to see what the former St. Mary Catholic Church has become -- and what Hawthorne and LaPointe hope it can become for the community.

Updates on upcoming events will be posted on the Lavender Skies Facebook page.

Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorships, donations or partnering with Lavender Skies are encouraged to contact them at 906-828-5754.

The couple are also seeking someone with multimedia skills to help with the organization’s growing presence. Anyone interested can reach out to Hawthorne.

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