Ignatius Cafe in Los Angeles' Koreatown seems like a quaint garden cafe where a suggested donation of $3 gets you a very solid iced latte, espresso beverage, or tea. However, it's actually part of the St. Agnes Korean Catholic Church next door which owns and operates the cafe. They're a non-profit and sales benefit a variety of charitable organizations.
Father Choi, who runs Ignatius Cafe and roasts his own beans says he finds God in all things, including coffee. "Coffee is in God, and God is in coffee," he is noted for saying. Not only is he a Reverend but also a coffee aficionado who received a certification from the Coffee Quality Institute. While brewing the perfect cup Father Choi and his volunteers pray for happiness and peace giving new meaning to made with love. He sees the cafe as a means of giving back to the community and providing a vital meeting space. Coffee and faith bringing community together is a most lovely thought.
Ignatius Cafe is not the first of its kind as several churches have started operating cafes as a means to establish a tie to the community during times when people seem to be moving away from religion. Becoming a presence in the neighborhood in a way that is accessible to the secular community is a genius idea. Who can say no to coffee. The perfect way to subtly introduce people to faith, or at least get them contemplating the idea of church and the Word.
Where:
1451 West Dana Street, Koreatown, Los Angeles