Here's the last article from The Carolinian I'm going to post:
The house at 930 Walker Ave. is completely unassuming and blends in with of its neighbors. It's only distinguishing mark would be the various street people who lounge in the yard and uses its grounds as a make-shift sanctuary.
The interior is just as unassuming - with big, soft couches and armchairs replacing pews. If it wasn't for the sign in front of its door, one would never suspect this place was an Episcopal/Anglican place of worship.
"We think of ourselves as a household, not as a formal congregation," says the Rev. Charles M. Hawes, a middle aged man with a beard who wears a necklace of a cross that morphs into a peace sign. Hawes has been Chaplin of St. Mary's House for 22 years. This will be his last.
St. Mary's House has held this sentiment ever since it was erected to be a center for Episcopal ministries for UNCG in 1900, according to Hawes. When the house was first built, it didn't have any heating and the women of UNCG were forced to hold service in the homes of some of the faculty in the dead of winter. In 1929, it was decided St. Mary's wasn't going to make it as a chapel and was deconsecrated. Since then, its become a kind of "reception house."
"It's a big, soft place people can come by and relax," says Hawes.
St. Mary's House differs from other places of worship not only in an aesthetic sense, but by a theological stance. The sign above the door reading "Jesus died to take away our sins, not our minds" epitomizes their stance.
"Over the years, our identity has kind of segued. We are recognized as a center that tried to make religion thoughtful," says Hawes. "We've earned a certain amount of respect from the academic community because we allow people to come to our services with an open mind and ask questions.
As a result, St. Mary's house has a congregation made up of members of the greater Greensboro area, students from UNCG, Greensboro College and A&T, as well as many members of the faculty from UNCG.
Former UNCG student Michael Hayworth attended St. Mary's proudly.
"It's a great place for open minded people to come and talk and share commonalities," he said.
Another group of people have decided to attend St. Mary's: the homeless.
"Homeless people have been at St. Mary's House since the 1960's - a lot longer than I have been here," says Hawes. "A lot of them are alcoholics, drug addicts, and psychologically impaired. We recognize these people as 'sick,' not 'bad.'"
The presence of homeless people has created a controversy among some of St. Mary's House's neighbors and local businesses. Mike Grady, a manager at Tate St. Coffee, described the situation.
"I call it the silent protest - no one complains, just no one comes back," Grady explains. "They're trying to do a good thing, but I would absolutely love it if it was 3 miles away."
John Sanford, who lives two houses down from St. Mary's House, shares a similar sentiment.
"They are trying do good Christian charity, but by not enforcing trespassing and panhandling laws on their property, they are creating a haven for beggars."
Additionally, a local organization called "Food not Bombs" meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Mary's House to cook for whoever feels like stopping by, including the neighborhood homeless.
Hawes supports them and has a simple response to critics.
"How could I, a servant of Christ, turn away homeless people when Jesus and his fellow apostles were beggars themselves?"
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