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Dorchester’s Pilgrim Church Has A Plan For A New Beginning In An Old Neighborhood

by Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane, Editor
November, 2004

Increases in costs and decreases in funding are no strangers to local churches. But preserving an historic building while at the same time trying to support community-based service programs can be a monumental task.

“Not insurmountable,” explains the Rev. John Odams, pastor at Pilgrim Church in Dorchester, who is helping to develop a project to rehabilitate the building and to include within the facility 21 efficiency apartments for formerly homeless individuals.

Church Sexton Corey Bailey (holding Nina, the friendly church cat) and Pastor Rev. John Odams of the Pilgrim Church in Dorchester, hope to bring new life to the historic building in the urban community.

The building, located at 540 Columbia Road in Dorchester, was originally constructed in 1890 and holds a prominent location in Uphams Corner, across from the Strand Theater. More than a brick structure, over the past century the church has provided religious services and programs; housed a day care center, a food pantry, a thrift shop, and a homeless shelter – administering to the neediest of the community. But over the years, the church’s financial resources have remained level while the cost of repairs and the need for improvements to the 114 year-old building have increased
significantly.

According to Odams, “the proposed renovation plan will enable the church to continue supporting existing service programs, improve the church facilities, and provide new apartments for the church’s homeless guests who participate in on-site emergency and transitional services. These efficiency apartments will provide permanent housing for 21 individuals, furthering the church’s mission of helping these individuals move beyond homelessness and back into housing and employment. United Homes for Children, a community-based agency with 32 years of experience serving needy families and individuals in the Roxbury/Dorchester communities, will continue to operate the existing emergency and transitional homeless services as well as the proposed permanent housing.

“In addition to building improvements, the project’s budget includes monies for professional property management services, on-site staffing, and case management.

Corey Bailey, church sexton, looks forward to seeing an upgrade in services. Formerly a homeless individual himself who had resided in the transitional housing at the Pilgrim Shelter, Bailey experienced firsthand how the church’s helping hand in his neighborhood gave him a needed lift to change his life for the better. He wants the same for others.

Neighborhood residents agree. Although there are concerns about the ability to continue services while taking on a large building rehabilitation project, neighbors welcome the proposed improvement project. Judy Richards, who lives down the street from Pilgrim Church, says she cannot speak for the whole neighborhood, but “I’ve seen the plans, and this project is a positive solution to rising housing costs and takes steps to help the homeless in a neighborhood that is no longer affordable. Homelessness can only end if people make an active effort.”

When asked how the project will be funded, Odams explained that although they are still in the pre-feasibility stage, the church leaders are in talks with consultants, zoning officials, neighborhood representatives, and appropriate government and community agencies, including the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (a statewide public policy advocacy and planning alliance of over 75 organizations serving homeless individuals). All are receptive to the project, and the church hopes to receive three-quarters of the estimated $4 million cost from public funding sources. The rest of the funds will be obtained through donations from community and religious organizations.

“If all goes as hoped,” Odams explains, “we can start building in early 2006.”

For more information, contact Odams at revjohno@msn.com.