Eastern Star Church, located in Martindale-Brightwood, closed on a deal to acquire the real estate portfolio of Martin University, which closed abruptly earlier this year. The church has been planning to acquire the property as early as March.
The church said it plans to use the land for a community resource project that will address the needs of residents of the Arlington Woods neighborhood.
Eastern Star Church said residents near its main campus face a variety of obstacles to healthy living. They say the area suffers from high rates of poverty and unemployment, along with limited access to financial resources and affordable, healthy food.
The church plans to use the land to expand its R.O.C.K. Initiative — that stands for Renewing Our Community for the Kingdom. The initiative centers around four pillars: Reinforcing a sense of community, adding affordable housing to the area, growing the financial security of area residents, and increasing educational opportunities.
Church officials confirmed they plan to build a community center, named the R.O.C.K. Impact Center, on the former university grounds. They also plan to add affordable housing to the property.
The church said it will also host a community needs assessment to get input from neighbors about how best to use the land. That assessment is planned to take place within 90 days.
Executive Pastor Anthony Murdock said in a press release, “We look forward to collaborating with neighborhood residents and stakeholders to help shape impactful and relevant programming for the future.”
Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org
