'Last year we were doing what we call Easter out of a box:' Pabst Theater hosts church service on Easter Sunday

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58)--Easter Sunday 2020 is a day many won’t forget. All churches were closed due to Covid-19. However, this year, some churches opened its doors. One church had the opportunity of hosting its service at the Pabst Theater.

“Last year we were doing what we call Easter out of a box, so we sent people in our community care packages,"  Jon Strohbusch said. He is the lead pastor at MIX Church.

It’s the first church service ever held at the theater. 

"So thankful for Gary, the team here at Pabst for inviting us in and making this a safe place," Strohbusch said. “To be back together not just on Easter Sunday, but in the Pabst theater, one of the biggest gathering places in our city it means more to us than anyone would ever know.” 

MIX is a non-denominational church in downtown Milwaukee. They’ve been force to host online services for almost a year. Pastor Strohbusch says Sunday was a breath of fresh air for him and his church family.

“This moment for us feels like a shifting moment for our community." 

People were still required to wear a mask, social distance and get their temperature checked at the door.

“We’ve really created a safe environment," he said. "I think they have 1,300 seats here, our capacity is only 350 for service”

Many people who attended the service on Sunday say it was rewarding but different.

“Everyone is kind of like starting over, we don’t know how to behave to the nuances of when to clap, when to smile, when to kind of interact,"  Hafez Hanna told CBS 58 NEWS.

It may have felt like a new start, but they say it’s better than sitting at home watching.

‘It’s so much better, it’s so much interactive when we’re all engaging and physically can see you instead of just behind the camera," Skyla  Mcelory said.