SAN ANTONIO — A historic church may soon be demolished unless the community steps in to save it.
Jefferson Community Church, formerly called the Jefferson United Methodist Church, has been serving the northwest side for 78 years.
Its landmark tower can be seen from miles away. Thousands of people have been baptized and married at the church over the past eight decades.
“We have been here in the neighborhood for about 30 years,” said Barbara Castaneda. “Knowing it is closing down just breaks my heart. This is a historical area and this is a family. It's a family."
“They have a ‘Feed Your Soul’ every other Wednesday,” said Castaneda’s grandson, Ryan. “It makes me feel better about myself how I am helping everyone out.”
The United Methodist Church Conference owns the property, according to Pastor Olivia Downen-Walker. In 2019, the church decided to separate from the Methodist over its rules forbidding LGBTQ ordination. As part of their agreement, the Jefferson Community Church has been renting the building.
"We couldn’t be apart of a community that was going to decide who was worthy of serving God," said Pastor Downen-Walker. "Because we are all worthy of serving God. We believe that God is infallible and makes He no mistakes. If we truly believe that with our hearts, then we have to accept that he made people who are LGBTQ purposefully. It's not up to us to judge them, it's up to us to love them."
Pastor Downen-Walker says the church struggled to recover from the financial impact of the pandemic, so they fell behind on rent.
“We are being asked to leave at the end of the month,” said Pastor Downen-Walker. “We have been told very plainly that once we hand in the keys, the property will be secured. That means fencing will go up around the church to keep people from breaking in. The property is going to be put up for sale, so it’s devastating. We’ve been told that the building needs so much upkeep that the person purchasing the buildings will probably bulldoze it.”
A total of 10 programs, including five recovery programs and a new homeless outreach initiative, operate out of the church. It's also home of the San Antonio Ghostbusters, which raises money for CASA and Meals on Wheels.
“It was part of my recovery journey,” said Kevin Lee Rosenberger, who is now a lead church counsel. “They touched my heart, they touched the hearts of those in the community. But the thing is, that’s not the end. It has created a fire in me and a passion in me to carry it on. When the doors do shut, what is the lesson we learned? It is to carry on and be resilient.”
Pastor Downen-Walker says they were told to turn their keys in on Easter Sunday. On a day for celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, parishioners are praying they will also be celebrating a miracle.
“I’ve been to a lot of churches,” said Henrietta LaGrange. “God is here.”
The church will need to raise about $1 million in two weeks to buy the property, according to church leaders.
“I am asking you; the community, to unite with us,” said LaGrange. “Help us. This is God’s house.”
This weekend, the church is holding a BBQ to raise funds. Starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, people are encouraged to stop by their location at 758 Donaldson Ave.
Pastor Downen-Walker is asking for prayers. If you would like to make a donation, click HERE.
KENS 5 reached out to the Rio Texas Conference United Methodist Church for comment. We are waiting to hear back.