Lori Roberts leads a regular yoga class at The HeARTery in Kewanna at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The HeARTery is a former Baptist Church built in 1854, which was purchased by Kewanna-based artist Diane Tesler in 2015.

Text and Photos by David Hazledine
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — On Feb. 25, The HeARTery in Kewanna held a “Mystery Party and Art Reveal” dedicated to one of its founders and benefactors, artist Diane Tesler. The event drew around 50 people and featured amateur acting, food, refreshment and several paintings, including one of Tesler’s, which served as a focal point for the evening’s “mystery.”

Also speaking at the event was Larry Cunningham, president of The HeARTery’s board of directors, who recalled how in 2015, Tesler purchased a 160-year-old Baptist Church at an auction. “She feared it would be sold in separate pieces. As you may notice, it has beautiful windows, which someone had bid at auction to remove and sell. The church had already sold the bell in the tower and the seats. Diane said, ‘It was a space that needed to be saved. It has a lot of history.’”

The HeARTery was then made handicap-accessible, earned 501(c)(3) nonprofit classification and embarked on its mission to host events that “nourish the heart and mind.”

Then COVID hit.

“COVID shut us down when we were developing well,” Cunningham recalled, “Now we’re starting all over again.”

A wide range of events have already taken place, including several concerts by local and national acts like Acoustic Voodoo and Johnny Burgin and a memorial service for a World War II soldier. A Rochester High School drama club also met there for a time. “Those kids loved this building. They took it over,” recalled Lori Roberts, HeARTery yoga instructor.

“It’s great for plays,” enthused Cunningham. “The acoustics couldn’t be better.”

Roberts is currently working on an Indiana Arts Commission grant, and is looking forward to future events such as a storytelling workshop, contra dancing and more music, including vocal groups.

Regular HeARTery programming includes yoga classes at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday; tai chi at 10:30 a.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Monday; and The Gathering at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, led by Cunningham, a former librarian and graduate of Allegheny Theological Seminary.

The Gathering is a Unitarian-style, nondenominational discussion group preceded by 30 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes of meditation. The ongoing discussion is held in a “spirit of acceptance,” said Cunningham, and revolves around a text. These texts have included “The World’s Religions” by Huston Smith and, currently, Joseph Campbell’s “Myths to Live By.”

According to Cunningham, participants come from a range of viewpoints, including Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and atheistic.

The Gathering also includes “joys and concerns,” when members have time to speak to the group. It is, said Linda Leasure, an opportunity for everyone to “keep up with each other personally.”

Yet another regular event, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 11, is “Express Yourself!” an expressive pen doodling workshop. To sign up, call Jennifer Wienert at (574) 316-0278.

“We want to be open to everything the community needs here,” said Cunningham, “including birthdays, graduation parties and more.”

The HeARTery is located at 414 E. Main St., Kewanna. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/1088295477902955.

At 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, The HeARTery hosts The Gathering, a Unitarian-style church service focusing on spiritual matters. During the “joys and concerns” segment, those who wish to speak first place their stone on a table beside a candle, as demonstrated by Linda Leasure, right. The Gathering is led by Larry Cunningham, left. Lori Roberts, center, also participates.

The HeARTery is located at 414 E. Main St., Kewanna. For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/1088295477902955.