From West Virginia-Its walls were constructed more than 100 years ago. With creaky floors and dusty wood benches, Saint John's Episcopal Church in Rippon holds on to its sanctification, but no longer does a congregation fill its benches on Sunday mornings.
The church is tucked quaintly away among farm fields, and although isn't home to any members, the church will soon provide a shelter from the chill of winter to Jefferson County's homeless population.
The area in the lower level that once served as a social hall will be transformed into a space usable by the Jefferson County Homeless Coalition, said Bob DuBose, who is working as a project coordinator for the coalition.
DuBose, the current president of Jefferson County Community Ministries, said his wife, Georgia, was once a priest at Saint John's when it was still holding services. Through working with the dioceses of West Virginia, the space was able to be provided for the next two to three years.
"The coalition's aim is to get a permanent shelter like many have," DuBose said.
The shelter runs from November through March, and the location has been shuffled around several times over the last couple years.
More here-
http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/596464/Church-gets-new-life-as-shelter.html?nav=5006
No comments:
Post a Comment