Sometimes, despite moments of chaos, things just fall into place.

Just ask the more than 50 people who showed up Sunday night to celebrate, with songs and prayers, today’s opening of an all-in-one social services center and medical clinic.

“We came to celebrate what God is doing,” said the Rev. Paul Gray as he stood in the crowded lobby of the new Leo Center on the eastern end of the first level of the former Riverfront Mall. “Certainly he is the one who deserves the credit.”

At 9 a.m. today the Leo Center, with its featured attraction, the Heartland Medical Clinic, will open its doors to serve the public for the first time. The 7,800-square-foot center puts the clinic at the same site as a food pantry, a new entity called Love Lawrence and a marriage and family counseling center, among other services.

The center is named after famed disabled but independent Lawrencian Leo Beuerman, who was the subject of the 1969 Academy Award-nominated film “Leo Beuerman.” Beuerman died in 1972.

The medical clinic serves people who do not have medical insurance. Its patients include the homeless and poor as well as people who have jobs but don’t receive medical insurance from their employer, said clinic director Amy Berthold. Patients are asked for a $10 donation but no one is turned away, she said.

The medical clinic moves to the new site from the basement of the Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt., where it had been since it was founded by Dr. Dennis Sale in October 1999.

“We have a lot more capability here,” Berthold said, noting that everything in the clinic was donated or paid for with donations.

“The other place was like working out of a suitcase,” said Dr. Paul Kurth, who along with Sale and Dr. Gillian Stephens are the primary physicians working at the clinic along with other health care personnel. “Now we’ll be able to operate more like a full-service clinic.”

The Rev. Paul Gray conducts a worship service at the new location of Heartland Medical Center. The clinic, which serves people who aren't covered by an insurance plan, opens today at 1 Riverfront Plaza.

Sale said he never dreamed the clinic would one day operate in such modern, spacious quarters.

“We feel like the Lord has helped us every step of the way,” Sale said.

“Its exciting to see this all transpire,” said Diane Chrislip, Heartland Church’s office manager.

Susan Jones, who was among those celebrating the new center, agreed. “Each step of the way God provided for it. It’s been amazing to watch this.”

In 2003 the clinic treated about 300 people a month, Berthold said. With expanded capability the number of patients might double, she said.

Remembering Leo (3-27-04)

In addition to the clinic, the center’s food pantry will be operated as a partnership between the Leo Center’s participating churches and East Kansas Economic Opportunity Center, or ECKAN. Love Lawrence will be a new entity to coordinate ministries of churches across Lawrence.

The Leo Center is a partnership of churches, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

During the Sunday evening ceremony, the Heartland Worship Team Band led the singing.