A project 10 years in the making began this week--Access 2010--which will bring an elevator to Neighborhood House, accessible bathrooms, exhibition and fellowship space, and a safe, fire protected building that will serve Philadelphia and Christ Church for the next 100 years.

 

When this project is completed in the Spring of 2010, Neighborhood House will be usable and safe by parishioners, children, staff members, community activists, 12-Step groups, social service agencies, archivists, visitors, history buffs, musicians, choir members, unions, politicians, Independence National Park, Project Home, the Shelter Network, Theater Companies, Boy Scouts, Youth Groups, tourism and marketing agencies, wedding receptions, funerals, and those coming for contemporary worship.  Linking the Washburn House and Neighborhood House in a new atriium that has an elevator, the buildings will be accessible to all.  The North Garden will be rebuilt along Filbert Street to make an easy, accessible entrance into and out of the churchyard.  Neighborhood House, which has had a glorious 100-year history dedicated to parish service and community outreach, will have a new future.

This $3 million project only completes partial renovations on the northern end of Neighborhood House.  More work will come as funds permit.  We have a long way to go, but, all of this is made possible by the generous financial support from the Christ Church Capital Campaign that so many parishioners, community leaders, foundations and agencies have funded.

Asbestos has been removed, junk discarded, and walls are starting to come down.  Come and take a tour, offered every Sunday morning.

 

Faithfully,