ZION EVANGELICAL UCC GIFTING CHURCH TO AURORA

Aurora plans to develop needed housing for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness in our community on the site of the historical church property.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – After 175 years as an active church in the Evansville community, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ will be holding their final service on Sunday, October 27th, at 10:30 AM. At this last service, a ceremonial passing of the keys will take place between members and leadership at Zion Evangelical UCC to staff and leadership from Aurora – Zac Heronemus (Executive Director), Aurora Board of Director Members, and Aurora team members.

This last service and ceremony will represent Zion’s commitment to continuing their legacy through the gifting of their property to Aurora, Inc., the leading homeless services agency in Evansville and Southwestern Indiana. As part of the transfer of this historic site located next to United Caring Services, Aurora is working to develop the site to meet the needs of our community through an integrated, 41-unit housing development focused on Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for families with on-site case management, and affordable units for 60% AMI households and below

This development will ensure the continuation of Zion’s legacy in our community by providing housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Evansville. Moving forward, Aurora will adaptively repurpose the historic sanctuary for use as a community room for residents and core human and homeless services partner agencies. Also, as part of this project, Aurora will be relocating its Street Outreach Team on-site to better position this vital team in our community for impacting the lives of unhoused people.

“The gifting of Zion Evangelical UCC to Aurora will have a tremendous impact on our organization in so many ways – housing people who are experiencing homelessness, helping realign our programs to better serve our community, and strengthening all of Aurora’s programs across the board.” – Zac Heronemus, Executive Director, Aurora

What led us (Zion Evangelical UCC) to our gifting to Aurora

“In March 2023, our congregation began a discernment process focusing congregational conversations on presenting trends and patterns of religious affiliation and membership participation not only within our own faith community but throughout the United States. This discernment process included an honest and diligent analysis of the resources (financial, buildings and ground, human) God has gifted Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ; such resources are necessary to conduct its mission in this time and place. Our goal was to use that which had been entrusted to us in a manner that would reflect our faithfulness as stewards of God’s gifts to this congregation, planning for the future of this historical, sacred place and ensuring that its legacy lives on.

Although our congregants are faithful, most are now over age seventy, and unfortunately membership decline continues. Our focus was identifying potential use(s) for this sacred space and an ongoing ministry within the community that would continue the ministry set forth 175 years ago when this beloved church was founded in downtown Evansville.

As we look at this project with Aurora, we rejoice in the ability to celebrate our rich 175-year legacy, knowing we do so with a sense of hope for a caring, transforming ministry in the future for many years to come. Although the interior of the sanctuary will be repurposed as a part of the project, the exterior of the church building will look as it has since the 1800’s, preserving this historical landmark. The congregation made the decision to allow both the Sunday School building and the parsonage to be torn down for the development of a new structure that will transform the lives of many, continuing Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ’s 175-year legacy.” – Michele Daum, Co-President, Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ Council

“We are so grateful to the congregation and leadership at Zion for entrusting Aurora to carry on this wonderful legacy in helping transform lives. Our board and team at Aurora are excited for this next step in the more than 35-year history of this organization and the increased potential for positively impacting the lives of unhoused individuals and families moving forward through this development on the site of historic Zion Evangelical UCC.” – Zac Heronemus, Executive Director, Aurora