Our Story

For pastors Shane Holden and Joe Steinke, moving into the Rolling Meadows Shopping Center on Cottage Grove Road is a dream come true. “We’ve always imagined settling into a space on the East Side of Madison somewhere, but nothing ever fit our needs as a church. Whatever space we occupied, we wanted it to act as a community center that would be a resource to the local neighborhood. Landing here, next to the Sentry store and DQ in a strip mall, this is perfect. We’re excited to be planted right here at home on the east side.”

Shane Holden has pioneered two churches in the Madison area since 1996. The first, Mad City Church, found its identity and momentum after 2 years and then began to double in membership every year until it hit a plateau at 1,200 participants in 2003 and maintained that until 2007, meeting at La Follette High School.

Shane with a few friends launched Damascus Road Church in April of 2008. Meeting at East High School for the first year was a familiar gig and has served this young church well. But, he is thrilled to be living and working in his own backyard neighborhood and is a die hard East Sider. As a primary voice and inspirational influence, he serves as the preaching and lead pastor of the oversight team. Shane and Vicky’s family of 4 kids live in the Elvehjem Neighborhood just a few blocks from the Elementary School.

Joe Steinke is also familiar with the Elvehjem Neighborhood, he served as a youth director, teacher, and school age program director at Lake City Church and Campus For Kids from 1985-1992. In 1996, Joe and his wife Angie partnered with Shane Holden to pioneer Mad City Church and are back at it again now with Damascus Road.

Damascus Road Church offers a Sunday worship service for adults, care and ministry for infants through Middle School age kids, and programs throughout the week for a variety of learning and spiritual growth. Groups for men, women, families, marriages, recovery, and discipleship are available.