Chicago church finds a home in the homes it supported
Friendship Presbyterian Church is a vocal advocate for affordable housing and the anchor tenant of an affordable housing complex it supported
CHICAGO — On the north side of Chicago, the Rev. Shawna Bowman, pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church, has created partnerships to serve the community through food, affordable housing, collaboration, and a safe space for living out a dedication to being an affirming and supportive space that welcomes and serves all people.
Friendship is the union of two Presbyterian churches that closed as their buildings became a burden for their shrinking congregations. For nearly a decade, Friendship had several locations, including a train station and theater before, like many churches, it made its home online during the Covid pandemic.
One of Friendship’s major focuses was advocacy for affordable housing. As an affordable housing complex that the church supported became reality, the church was approached about becoming its anchor tenant. While initially reluctant, Bowman and the church soon saw the mutual benefits of the relationship.
“We needed more space,” they said. “We wanted to expand our food and kitchen ministries, and we wanted to be in spaces where we could collaborate with other, not-for-profits and like-minded neighbors.”
Coming out of the pandemic’s restrictions, in addition to holding worship in the ground level of the 5150 complex, the church created Friendship Community Place, “the primary expression of mission for Friendship Presbyterian Church,” Bowman said. The organization runs a community kitchen that serves the complex and community in numerous ways and has numerous other endeavors that aim to foster community in the neighborhood.
“I think sometimes when we tell our story, folks presume that it's like some edgy congregation doing something completely out of the box,” Bowman said. “At the end of the day, and it sometimes pains me to admit it, the longer I'm a Presbyterian pastor, the more nerdy of a Reformed theologian I become. Right? It's really good theology, and if we live it, it's actually really expansive and creative and beautiful theology.”
You can learn more about Friendship in a four-part video series available here, exploring the innovation of this small community that puts its faith to work and battles public perceptions and fears surrounding people in need.
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