What's Possible?

What's Possible?

See how four churches turned their land into affordable housing for their neighbors.

Our Housing Committee has been exploring what our land could become. It's a big question, and one that other churches around the country have already been wrestling with. Their stories offer a real picture of what's possible when a congregation decides its property could serve a bigger purpose.

Here are four examples our committee chair shared with the congregation, along with links if you want to dig deeper into any of them.

Central United Methodist Church — Arlington, Virginia

Central UMC sat on the corner of Fairfax and Stafford Streets since 1906, just across from the Ballston Metro. What started as a small group handing out blankets on cold nights grew into a full Friday morning breakfast ministry serving hundreds of neighbors experiencing homelessness. That ministry, paired with a building in need of expensive repairs, led the congregation on an almost two-decade journey: forming a building committee, touring a similar project at Clarendon Baptist Church, running a capital campaign, and eventually partnering with the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing.

The result, dedicated in May 2024: an eight-story building with a new sanctuary, classrooms, and fellowship hall on the ground floor, and 144 affordable apartments — including two- and three-bedroom units for families — above it.

Read more at truegroundhousing.org

Trinity United Methodist Church — Atlanta, Georgia

Trinity's building has stood across from Atlanta City Hall since 1912, home to Trinity Table, a weekly meal ministry for anyone in need. As the surrounding neighborhood changed and the historic building fell into disrepair, the congregation partnered with Wesley CDC, Gorman & Company, Invest Atlanta, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to imagine something new.

Trinity isn't selling its property. It's entering a long-term land lease that will preserve the sanctuary for worship while adding a new residential tower with 83 units of affordable senior housing.

Read more at atlantatrinity.org

Trinity United Methodist Church — Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta First's Development Task Force formed in 2018 to find the best use for its downtown property. After issuing a request for proposals, the church partnered with a nonprofit developer and an architecture firm to design a two-tower complex: roughly 320 units of housing, 85 percent of it affordable, alongside new space for the church's own day school, a fellowship hall, and a gymnasium.

Read more at atlantafirstumc.org

Inglewood First United Methodist Church — Inglewood, California

Inglewood First is part of the growing "Yes In God's Backyard" (YIGBY) movement, where houses of worship repurpose their land for affordable housing. The church is partnering with local developers and community organizations to build 60 units of affordable housing plus a community hub offering food distribution, youth mentoring, music education, and support services for seniors and low-income families.

Read more at inglewoodfirst.org

Four different cities, four different paths, but a common thread: each congregation started with the same question we're asking now. What could our land become for our neighbors?

Our Housing Committee will keep the congregation updated as this exploration continues. Questions or ideas? Reach out to [contact info].