A Microchurch for Monadnock Street
& the Bob Haas Community Trust, Inc.
The Vision
Twenty-nine Monadnock Street (“29”), an 1880 Victorian single-family house (with 7 bedrooms, 5 fireplaces, and unique cast iron, stained glass, and wood detailing), is more than just a home. For the past 50 years it has been an incubator, a resource hub, a catalyst, and a community for residents, in and outside the house.
In December 2022, owner and founder of the affordable residential community at 29, Bob Haas, passed away. Bob was a gentle giant in the neighborhood, a devout catholic, a missional neighbor, a musician, a mentor, and an advocate for his neighbors, housemates, and community. It is in Bob’s honor that we steward 29 into a new era, building on Bob’s legacy of doing justice and loving ourselves and our neighbors, near and far.
How?
Stewardship: 29 alumni, neighbors, and friends of Bob formed the Bob Haas Community Trust, Inc., a Massachusetts non-profit organization, that will own and manage 29. The Trust’s initial efforts include fundraising to clear a reverse mortgage and prevent the house from going into foreclosure.
Affordability: 29 will continue to be used as a residence for non-profit professionals and interns, who earn modest incomes working for community organizations in Dorchester and Roxbury, and who are thereby only able to afford modest rents.
Community: Nothing builds community like a little yard work and a lot of potlucks. The Trust hosts monthly Community Potlucks, for housemates and neighbors, designed to connect, build relationships, and share resources.
Collaboration: We partner with neighbors, housemates, and community organizations to meet needs in the community, provide leadership development opportunities, access to resources, and build relationships. We partner with DSNI and DNI to ensure long-term affordable housing and three other residential cooperative houses building community on Monadnock Street.
The Bob Haas Community Trust is not a christian organization and is focused on stewardship, affordability, community, and collaboration, not evangelizing, apostatizing, proselytizing, or discipling. But for many of the Trust’s leaders our faith is at the center of our commitment to 29, it is the lens through which we see the world and our work. For many house alums, 29 was the classroom where we learned to “live and love like Jesus,” and Bob was our marvelously mischievous teacher. Like Bob, we welcome housemates, collaborators, and neighbors from all backgrounds, religions, and expressions of faith, while joining with The Table to explore what learning to live and love like Jesus on Monadnock Street looks like in this new era at 29.
The Rhythm
Encounter (Worship): Monthly Prayer Calls on the last Tuesday of the Month | 8-9AM, via ZOOM.
Embody (Community): Monthly Community Potlucks* on the first Sunday of the Month | 6-8PM, in person at 29 Monadnock Street (Dorchester MA 02125) All are welcome.
Extend (Mission): Community Events - Garden Days, Summer Cookouts, Back to School events, Holiday Parties, community workshops, and more. Our missional expression is largely embodied in the work of the Bob Haas Community Trust. The Trust’s Board meets Monthly, with many distinct initiatives and committees in formation.
*indicates a kid-inclusive gathering
What’s Next
Right now, this microchurch is in the Rally stage. We plan to build upon our monthly rhythms as we discover together what learning to live and love like Jesus on Monadnock Street looks like in this new era at 29.
If you’d like to know more about this microchurch, click the “Connect Button” to send us an email. We’d love to have you!
To partner with us in tangible ways:
Stewardship: Donate to the Trust to help us prevent 29 from going into foreclosure and provide necessary seed money for managing the physical needs of the house.
Affordability:
Become a monthly donor to help us subsidize rents.
Refer a friend or neighbor who might be looking for an affordable place to live, while making a meaningful contribution to their community.
Community: Join us for monthly Potlucks and other community events.
Collaboration: Do you need a space to meet, do you have a workshop idea, or a creative gifting to contribute? We welcome any and all opportunities to use the space at 29, let’s explore the possibilities together!