Rev. Chris Holland takes over community center
The board of trustees of The Common Place (TCP) has appointed the Rev. Christopher J. Holland II as executive director. He replaces Peter Grim who has led the community center since its founding eight years ago.
Rev. Holland, a native of Philadelphia, joined The Common Place leadership team in 2018 as Convening
Pastor. He brings with him gifts of strategic planning, pastoral care, community engagement, as well as his passion for family advocacy. Rev. Christopher holds a Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree in Computer Science from Drexel University. In 2003, Christopher co-founded Connexus Technology, an award-winning, cutting-edge technology consulting firm based in Philadelphia. Afterward, he pursued and earned his Master of Divinity degree from nearby Palmer Theological Seminary.
For over 20 years, Rev. Holland served in various ministerial capacities throughout the Philadelphia tri-state area, most notably as the pastor of New Spirit Community Church (PCUSA) in Southwest Philadelphia. Christopher has been a key driver of the unification of the New Spirit and Grace Christian Fellowship (UCC) churches to form Salt and Light at TCP where he currently serves as the Executive Pastor.
Rev. Holland is also recognized as an innovative businessman having been cited as a Drexel University “Top 40 under 40,” Smart CEO Magazine’s Philadelphia Executive Management Award, The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s Innovative Business of The Year Award, and the Minority Business Leaders Award from The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Outgoing director Grim affirmed, “We are excited about what this new chapter of TCP’s future will bring. We look forward to Christopher’s vision and leadership as we continue to fulfill our mission to serve and uplift the children and families of Southwest Philadelphia.
Looking back over his dedicated 6-year tenure Grim added, “I am astonished what God has done to guide us to this sacred space and energize us to programming in education, the arts, and nutrition as well as other social and spiritual services.“
For more information about the activities and services at The Common Place, visit: www.thecommonplacephilly.com To learn about the Salt and Light congregation visit: www.snlphilly.com
(Gene Burke is development director at The Common Place)
