AboutUs - ICHTHYS House

Here's what people say about ICHTHYS House:

ICHTHYS House is a Place of Calm
by Tom Mullen

Should you walk into Ichthys House at 215 College Avenue in Richmond, the first thing you'll notice will be books – on shelves, in bookcases and stacked on the floor.

Clyde Johnson will probably be there to greet you, a labor of love he has been performing since moving to Richmond 43 years ago. Clyde started opening his home to students and other visitors when he first arrived, but Ichthys House as such was first located at 229 College Avenue in 1073, next door to our home. He moved a half a block up the street in 1982.

IN 1966 Clyde had heard John Oliver Nelson, a seminary professor, give a speech in which he expressed the need "for places of concern, acceptance, relaxation, worship and quiet study" in our hectic and harried world. Ichthys, the Greek word for fish, has been an important symbol of the church for centuries and Clyde decided to call his house ministry by that name.

And that ministry is unique, a one-of-a-kind 40-year adventure of hospitality which has touched the lives of hundreds of college and seminary students and many other Richmond residents as well.

Consider this basic fact about Ichthys House: it is open for an informal meeting for worship from 9:30 - 10 p.m. every night of the year – 365 days (366 in leap year). Clyde opens his doors to any who show up, whether it be a dozen or one or none.

After worship, those who have come often stay to drink tea, munch on cookies and talk, laugh or sing. Sometimes, the discussions last into the wee hours and Clyde, now 79 years old, said that Ichthys House is a place for "night people," and it is.

But Clyde's home is open during the day as well, and whenever he or one of his residents is home, regular visitors know they are welcome to curl up in a chair and read one of the books lying about, drink coffee or hot chocolate and often simply talk with Clyde.

He is a remarkable listener. Clyde sometimes says he has "waterproof shoulder pads" and his quiet presence has provided countless persons the opportunity to unburden grief, share secrets or celebrate life without fear of judgment or ridicule.

When he lived next door to our house, we often could hear him playing one of his many musical classics, and neighbors on both sides of Ichthys House occasionally asked him to turn up the volume. Clyde understands what soothes the soul: sometimes music, often conversation and many times unbroken periods of silence.

Because literally thousands of persons, young and old, have passed through Ichthys House, Clyde now spends parts of many days staying in touch and answering correspondence. He is continually responding to letters and post cards from a rubber-banded stack of mail, and he also gets lots of e-mail and phone calls.

The house is used by a variety of small groups for a meeting place and every so often folks gather for a home-cooked or carry-in meal. A few regulars simply show up to read books or take a nap.

I asked Clyde how, at his age, he is still able to absorb the frequent interruptions, late hours, sometimes intense discussions and regular invasions of his privacy and quiet. He replied that having residents cover for him provides time for trips, visits to friends and nights away to enjoy symphonies and operas which feed his soul.

Somehow, Ichthys House manages to be the place it is on a shoestring budget. For years, Clyde worked as a bookkeeper and accountant and received small donations from a few Quaker meetings, former attenders, interested individuals and unexpected gifts. Now retired, he lives on a small pension, Social Security and modest gifts from those who know Ichthys House and value what Clyde Johnson does.

"It's a case of ‘the Lord providing,'" says Clyde with a smile, and somehow it is easy to believe he meant what he said.

Over the years many famous church leaders and well known persons have visited Clyde and experiences his home-away-from-home, the safe haven where people tired and hungry, either literally or spiritually, can come aside, rest and be fed. But most have been students or persons from Richmond who just needed space, time or the presence of a good listener for awhile.

Some are helped. Some are not. All are welcomed.

In Richmond, Ind., there are a lot of remarkable persons whose lives enrich other people. Clyde Johnson is one such resident, a man who decided to open his home 365 days a year to all who came by. Thus, for countless people, Ichthys House has been a safe place, full of joy and books, serving tea, cookies and ongoing hospitality. Every single day.

Amazing! Or perhaps, it's more accurate to say "Amazing graciousness!" Indeed.

(This article originally appeared in the Richmond Palladium-Item on September 26, 2004)

From Earlham student Peter Stevenson:

"I first met Clyde Johnson at the first meeting for worship of my first year at Earlham. He kindly welcomed me to campus and gave me a little business card about ICHTHYS House. Since then, I have visited and worshiped there many times. ICHTHYS House is a ministry of hospitality. There is a half-hour of worship there every night, and there are always plenty of cookies and tea. Clyde also opens his house for other groups to meet and for individuals to come and study, nap, or hang out in a quiet, worshipful atmosphere. Earlham students also come to ICHTHYS House's Days of Silence and Solitude, which are advertised around campus.

The life of a college student can be very hectic. There are demands for time and energy from peers and faculty, as well as personal and parental expectations. Worship at ICHTHYS House is a wonderful relief from these pressures; it provides time for quiet and reflection, as well as a homey atmosphere, a n ice break from the institutional feelling of college. Clyde's books and music albums, available for borrowing, are another valuable service.

Too many people respond to the message of 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' with 'There are institutions for that.' Indeed, there are opportunities for worship on campus, and there are quiet spaces to meet or to reflect. There are even places for free cookies.

However, the personal offering of Clyde Johnson and Jan Malandra at ICHTHYS House is an important Christian witness. Loving your neighbor does, indeed, require personal involvement beyond simply donating to a good cause. It also requires personal risk. Most of all, it requires a lot of faith. Perhaps this is the real ministry of ICHTHYS House: a ministry of faith.

From an Earlham School of Religion student:

Quiet place
Restful place
Worn and frayed from all the hands and feet
Lovingly attending.
Books, books upon books
Everywhere books
And pictures, and candles
And always food in the kitchen
For eating, and talking
Who's come for worship tonight?
Bob -- haven't seen him before
But there's another Bob; he's been coming
For 22 years.
Born and raised in Richmond.
God, how is it
That you called one man
To open his house, every day of the year, to the whole town of Richmond?
To change his life around you, and follow you
For 25 years, every day?
The whole wide world
Just passing through
Or stay a while
Or forever
Come and pray, and sing, and talk
And laugh
Every day.
You said, "Follow me,"
And one man did.

From Violeta Tribandiene, former ESR student:

Who doesn't know a tired, lonely and abandoned person? Sometimes we ourselves are that person. Work tires, family tires, even church tires. Where to go?

Or it's the other way round: the home, family are far away, and one feels lonely and desolate. Where to go?

This happened to me in the winter of 1999, when I was a freshman from Lithuania at ESR. Somebody said: 'Come to ICHTHYS House for a silent worship.' So I did and keep coming ever since. Why?

Because the soul rejoices. The music, books, art, candlelight, real fireplace. AND there are no obligations or responsibilities. Just come and soak in. You are not a parent, an employee, a church member. You are just yourself. Nobody asks for anything. One can shut him/herself in a den with a book, music recording, or a news program on TV. Or one can chat with somebody with no obligation to join a committee or look good.

Clyde started ICHTHYS House 30 years ago, and has been committed to it as only swans can be. He is a channel of the Light. He is a real well of Love, who needs to give and to receive. Come to the oases of the Spirit, and be with God and yourself.

From Andrew Cornelius, Earlham student:

I discovered ICHTHYS House while attending Earlham Christian Fellowship one Friday evening. I initially asked if I was in the right place because the setting was more intimate than I expected. Or maybe I was surprised because I hadn't been anywhere that truly felt like home since I arrived at Earlham. Clyde is a friendly, loving man whose hospitality knows no bounds. He has been a blessing to me as well as all the other wonderful people I'v met there. It has been a place that brings me closer to God and one which challenges me to live in the Spirit every day in all I do. My walk with Christ is bound to be strengthened as I continue to spend time there.