By TIM LANDIS, THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER, Posted May 15, 2010
South Side Christian Church’s 2006 storm-relief efforts have “…rolled over into a key role for the nearly 70-year-old church in plans to revitalize MacArthur Boulevard from South Grand Avenue to Wabash Avenue”, according to Tim Landis of the State Journal Register.
One of the outgrowths of the church’s partnership with the MacArthur Boulevard Business Association has been a neighborhood “big block bash” on the church parking lot. Businesses along the boulevard were invited to participate in the second year of the event last year, said worship minister Daniel Shelton. “We want to give in the summertime just a chance for our community to gather together and eat some hotdogs, kids playing and listen to some music, and just to enjoy summer in kind of a carnival atmosphere,” said Shelton. Last year’s event drew about 1,000 people, he said, “and probably 80 percent of them are people we don’t see on a regular basis.” The event, scheduled this year for July 18, also plays a role in the spiritual mission of the church, said Shelton.”
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 1725 S. Walnut St. also is a member of the boulevard association, said chairman Cory Jobe. Churches bring a different perspective to the issue of retail and commercial development and neighborhood preservation, he said. “They are an independent voice, if you will. Consumers might also get a sales job from a business. It just goes hand in hand, and we’re glad to have both churches involved,” said Jobe.
Read the full story at the SJ-R…
