The Oakland Peace Center makes its home in the First Christian Church of Oakland, an imposing Mission Revival structure in a residential neighborhood of this California city. Completed in 1928, it has arched doors and windows and red stone embellishments. The 40,000-square-foot building spreads out over five levels.

The exterior still resembles the grand church it once was. But inside, there are signs that the First Christian Church congregation isn't alone in this space.

The entry hall holds a shelf filled with free books, a bin piled high with free clothing, and a bulletin board with information on volunteer opportunities and scheduled events. The sanctuary, chapel and two large halls are used for conferences, music programs, plays and movie screenings. Smaller spaces house offices and host small group meetings, common meals and a variety of other peacemaking activities. Twice a month, a drumming group gathers at the center to explore rhythm as a spiritual practice. On work days, volunteers come and fix up the aging facility.

Conceived more than a decade ago by a church struggling to envision its future, today the center is both a physical space and a network of 40 local nonprofit organizations, all committed to promoting peace, curbing violence and advancing social justice in Oakland and the San Francisco Bay Area.