Our campaign involves both rebuilding our Bienville Campus and renewing our Carrollton Campus. When Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent floodwaters hit New Orleans in August 2005, the Mid City neighborhood, where our Bienville Campus is located, was hit with water from above and below. Central Congregational Church (now our “Bienville Campus”) sustained damage to the sanctuary, fellowship hall, office building, Hume Center Childcare building, and several other properties owned by the church.

At this point, the sanctuary and office building (double shotgun house) have been gutted to the studs and are in the early stages of architectural drawings. One property, 329 North Tonti Street, has been completely renovated and is awaiting final inspection for a Certificate of Occupancy. This building was dedicated in October 2011 as the Davis-Landix House, and will be the headquarters for the newly revived “Good Gang” program – – a youth leadership outreach in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America.

When these properties are fully restored, we will partner with local non-profits to provide administrative and programmatic space to serve the needs of the neighborhood. James Bonds leads the Property Team, navigating the ins-and-outs of city planning, getting bids from contractors, and overseeing the construction – – much of which will be done by volunteers.