The Finch Group, a multifaceted real estate developer and property management company, has announced the groundbreaking of the new Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex in the Bronx. This new structure will transform the existing Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church, a fabric of the Bronx since 1887, into a 72-unit low income (Section 8) apartment building for seniors, providing affordable residential units in an area of the Bronx and NYC that has a shortage of such housing. The complex will also include a new church that will now be able to expand the vital social services they offer for seniors, as well as people and children in the community.
There has been tremendous support for the new Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex amongst local political leaders including New York City District 11 Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Community Board 12, and religious leaders including Bishop Thomas Bickerton, New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
“Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church is taking another step towards the realization of our goal, which is driven by our mission to serve all of the people in the community,” said and Reverend Dr. Laurel Scott, Senior Pastor for Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church. “Within a few months, we will open the doors to a brand-new, state of the art building which gives us a launching pad for ministry; a place where our seniors can be housed affordably and safely; our community needs met; and our members worshiping in an inspiring liturgical space. Multiple goals, both sacred and secular, will be accomplished here – that’s exciting! We are grateful to God for his guidance in this process.”
The new Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex is a synergy of activity that engages the seniors living in the building with the social service outreach of the church. The new building’s community spaces will enable the church to expand its services including: increased meeting frequency and ability to accommodate more participants in its Seniors’ Program, a Food Pantry that is open to seniors living in the building and neighbors in the community, and an increased capacity for its Summer Camp for neighborhood children.
This project is the outgrowth of the effort started with the New York Land Opportunity Program (NYLOP) participation by the Church. The program provided pro-bono technical assistance led by Local Initiatives Support Corporation NYC (LISCNYC) to promote the development of affordable housing by supporting local mission-driven organizations that are long-standing community anchors that play a key role in their neighborhood.
Five years ago, the church brought in The Finch Group to work with them to create a development plan that results in a new Church and complementary uses. The plan is to leverage the value of the Church’s land, 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits and (SARA) loans issued through New York City Housing Preservation & Development to help finance the construction.
“We are very excited to bring the new Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex to this community – a building like this is unprecedented,” said Blake Bendett,Executive Vice President of The Finch Group. “Not only are we honoring the historical significance of this 136-year-old church and revitalizing it, but we are also enabling the church to expand its social services while concurrently providing much-needed affordable housing for the betterment of the entire community for generations to come.”
“This new edifice allows the congregation to continue its stewardship of the congregation and community,” said Wendell Harris, Senior Advisor to the Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex. “The synergies created by engaging the seniors living in the building with social service outreach expands the mission and ministry of the church.”
The new $55 Million Wakefield Grace United Methodist Church Complex was designed by Marin Architect. Hudson Meridian will complete the construction. It will be located at the current church address – 4750 White Plains Road, Bronx, NY.
