Now Reading: Dwindling Minnesota church gives $600,000 to nonprofits, site to become housing
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Dwindling Minnesota church gives $600,000 to nonprofits, site to become housing
Dwindling Minnesota church gives $600,000 to nonprofits, site to become housing
St. Mark's United Church of Christ in Bloomington, Minnesota, closed after more than seven decades when its congregation fell to 26 members. Instead of winding down quietly, the church distributed about $600,000…
The Story in Brief
St. Mark's United Church of Christ in Bloomington, Minnesota, closed after more than seven decades when its congregation fell to 26 members. Instead of winding down quietly, the church distributed about $600,000 from the sale of its property to 21 nonprofits, the Times of India reports. Loaves & Fishes received $115,000, which the nonprofit says will help provide roughly 275,000 meals.
The site was sold to the Bloomington Housing Redevelopment Authority, which plans to build up to 16 affordable housing units. The church's stained-glass windows and pews have been rehomed, and a cornerstone time capsule will be preserved for former parishioners.
The Indian Opinion
This story is a quiet rebuke to the narrative that religious institutions are hoarding wealth while membership shrinks. St. Mark's sold its property not to preserve an empty building, but to fund meals and affordable homes. The real test of any such transition is whether the housing actually gets built and remains affordable. Bloomington's redevelopment authority has promised up to 16 units. Watch for ground-breaking dates, not press releases.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
