“We’re not just here to wash clothes—we’re here to share life.”
On the corner of 10th Street and 9th Avenue in St. Cloud, Minnesota, an ordinary laundromat has become holy ground. On the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of each month, Kipp’s Laundromat hums with more than the sound of washing machines—it hums with dignity, hospitality, and the hope of renewal.
Laundry Love St. Cloud is a Fresh Expression of church meeting people exactly where they are—through clean clothes, shared meals, and authentic connection. Born from a moment of deep compassion and shaped by years of faithful presence, this expression is reshaping what it means to be the church in public spaces.
Where It All Began: A Fountain and a Vision
Nearly a decade ago, Nancy Dyson, a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, witnessed something heartbreaking: people washing their clothes in a public fountain near Lake George. That moment became a turning point.
“If we wanted to love our neighbors in real and tangible ways,” Nancy shared, “we had to meet them where the need was.”
She responded not with a program, but with presence—offering quarters, detergent, and sandwiches to neighbors in need. That simple act of love grew into a community partnership and eventually became Laundry Love St. Cloud, where guests are welcomed to wash two loads of laundry and enjoy a potluck-style meal.
Meeting the Needs of a City in Transition
St. Cloud is a city of contrasts. While it’s home to a major university and growing industries, it also carries a poverty rate of nearly 18.5%—almost double the state average. Many of those served by Laundry Love are single parents, young adults, and individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
“This place gives me something to look forward to,” one guest said. “It reminds me I matter.”
Clean clothes become a gateway to restored dignity. A meal becomes a moment of grace. And consistent presence becomes a path to belonging.
This Is Church—Just Not as You Know It
Laundry Love St. Cloud offers a fresh lens on what discipleship and community can look like. There’s no formal liturgy or traditional sermon. Instead, volunteers show up faithfully, offering kindness, prayer, and practical support.
“We don’t need to preach at people to show them Jesus,” a volunteer shared. “We show up. We feed them. We laugh with them. That’s church.”
This approach aligns deeply with the Fresh Expressions Journey—steps like Listening, Loving and Serving, and Building Community. It’s church that grows organically, shaped by the needs and rhythms of the neighborhood.
Why This Matters for You
Fresh Expressions like Laundry Love St. Cloud show that church doesn’t have to be confined to pews or predictable models. As Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” In a world longing for connection and care, every church has the potential to be part of something transformational.
You don’t need a budget line or a strategic plan to start. You need a laundromat, a listening ear, and a heart that’s open to where the Spirit leads.
Try Something New—Right Where You Are
Laundry Love St. Cloud is not just an inspiring story—it’s an invitation.
What if your church started with a question: Where are the real needs in our community? What would happen if you answered not with a program, but with presence?
Whether you’re a pastor, lay leader, or part of a denominational network, this is your reminder: Fresh Expressions are not only possible—they are already happening. And they are within your reach.
Start small. Listen deeply. Love boldly. And trust that God is already at work—maybe even in a laundromat.
Snapshot of a Fresh Expression of Church
What is the Fresh Expression called?
Laundry Love St. Cloud
Where is it?
St. Cloud, MN
Who is it for?
Laundry Love St. Cloud is for individuals and families in the St. Cloud community who are experiencing poverty, housing insecurity, or other financial hardships. It serves those who may struggle to afford basic necessities like laundry services, offering them clean clothes, a warm meal, and a welcoming space where they are treated with dignity and care.
What do they do?
Laundry Love St. Cloud provides free laundry services and a warm meal to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship. Held at Kipp’s Laundromat on select Tuesdays, the program creates a welcoming space where neighbors can restore dignity, connect with others, and experience community care.
Who is the Pioneer?
The pioneer of Laundry Love St. Cloud is Nancy Dyson, a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In the early 2010s, Nancy observed individuals washing their clothes in a public fountain near Lake George, highlighting a pressing need for accessible laundry services. Motivated by compassion, she initiated the local chapter of Laundry Love in 2014, starting with a jar of quarters, detergent, and sandwiches at Kipp’s Laundromat.
Where can I learn more?
