St. Paul’s on the Hill, Winchester and Senseny Place – Housing as Legacy
- VEREP
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
St. Paul’s on the Hill in Winchester, VA transformed its property and legacy into a mission-driven affordable housing project. Partnering with Wesley Housing Development Corporation and Virginia Diocesan Homes, the congregation created Senseny Place, a 63-unit community for low-income seniors, choosing to prioritize housing ministry even over rebuilding their church building.
Formation of the Partnership
In 2017 St. Paul’s on-the-Hill, Winchester signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with what was then Virginia Diocesan Homes. The purpose of the MOU was to develop low to moderate income housing on the 5-acre site and to replace the church building. Through a competitive process, the non-profit Wesley Housing Development Corporation was selected as developer.
Rev. Susan MacDonald said, “We want to focus on the mission of doing things to help people who are hurting, lift up the brokenhearted, find out where the pain is in our community and do what we can in our small way to address it.”
Project Challenges and Congregational Discernment
As the project progressed, challenges emerged. The low-income housing tax credits necessary for the project were not obtained in the anticipated amount, requiring Wesley to apply for supplemental funding and reducing the funds available for the church building.
Further, additional land was required for stormwater management and a bike path across the property, limiting the space available for the new church. In 2019, due to these changes, the congregation voted to give up their building for the mission of creating the new housing.
For the members and leaders of St. Paul's, Senseny Place became their legacy to the community. Title to the land and proceeds from the ground lease were later transferred to the Diocese.
Completion and Impact
Opening in December 2022, Senseny Place is a 55+ community of 63 rental units, all serving low-income seniors. Eleven units have rental subsidy and serve extremely low-income individuals.
The $17 million project has received the national Charles Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the Housing for Senior Citizens category (2024) and a Development of Distinction Award for Rural Community Impact (2023).
Is your congregation discerning how to leave a lasting legacy of service in your community? VEREP can help guide you through redevelopment and mission-focused property planning. Contact VEREP today to explore what's possible for your property.
