Covenant Church

More than twenty years ago Covenant Church accepted the responsibility of ministry to children in the inner city of Charlottesville. A public park was rented for more than twelve years. Then property was purchased and put into a Trust. The Trust became a 501-C-3 IRS foundation. Over time friends and the city approved construction of a new community center.

About five years ago architects began work on plans. Then Stoneking and Von Storch architects, Katie Swenson, Liz Hoogheem, and Steve Von Storch worked with city officials to develop a concept that would be highly utilitarian for the Tenth and Paige Community.

During work on the building the six-foot high fence behind the construction became a source of curiosity. Athletes on the other side of the fence were not from the community where we were building a community center. Then I noticed that often when I would arrive at the construction site, there would be a ten-foot long board leaning on the fence with a similar board directly on the other side of the fence. Boys would climb the boards to go over the fence to play.

In time, without really thinking anything about it, I would meet mothers walking their children to school around the fence, which meant it doubled the time necessary.

Occasion lent itself to talking with the school principal about the fence. He did not know the history of the fence, but agreed that something needed to be done. I wrote a letter to the principal, and he submitted it to the City School Board. Both approved the request for an opening to be made in the fence. The school’s approval was forwarded to the city parks and recreation, which also approved the request.

Completing construction of the new community center provided a great opportunity to cut an opening in the fence between the two community buildings -- new and old. City Mayor David Brown, City Councilman David Norris, Police Chief Tim Longo and several officers, Neighborhood President Gate Pratt, and Secretary Lelia Brown, Director of Piedmont Housing Alliance Stu Armstrong, members of the Board of Directors of Hope Foundation, and a large gathering of neighbors and friends were present for the occasion.

With the ping of wire being cut, Dr. Harold L. Bare, Sr., President of Hope Foundation introduced speakers. The message became clear that more than fifty years ago a wall had been erected to divide the “white” and ”black” neighborhood. The first fence was of boards. Black boys would climb trees to watch while white high school boys played football.

The second fence was wire, which in time managed to have some holes that allowed children to crawl under. The third fence was taller and stronger.

However, an eight-foot wide permanent opening now exists. School children can now take the short-cut to school. Words kindly spoken by community officials, e.g., “It is time for the wall to come down,” speak to the hope to encourage children and encourage a community with hands extended.

“A fence is just a fence,” said Police Chief Tim Longo. “However, attitude is what needs to be changed. And it is time to change attitude.” Chief Longo also noted that the new community center of Hope Foundation would incorporate a neighborhood police substation.

With the opening cut in the fence, children from the Tenth and Paige Neighborhood walked through the opening for the first time to the applause of the audience. In a few days residents of the neighborhood will be privileged to enjoy full use of the community center for family gatherings, community events, athletic events, birthday parties, tutoring, after-school programs, computer programs, etc.

Contractors especially to be thanked for progress to date are Parham Construction, Steve Jacque Homes and architects Stoneking and Von Storch. A special thanks to Covenant Church!

With much gratitude,
Pastor Bare