Isaiah 58 Ministries Celebrates New Location with Ceremonial Groundbreaking

Local, regional, and national dignitaries joined Isaiah 58 Ministries in St. Louis Feb. 24, 2026, for the ceremonial groundbreaking of its new location in the Dutchtown neighborhood of South St. Louis.

The ceremony was the culmination of four years of hard work and reflection by Isaiah 58 Ministries’ board of directors and Executive Director the Rev. Brenda Booth.

Held in the new building at 4164 Chippewa St. in St. Louis, the ceremony included several local and regional speakers, including Booth. Additionally, the dignitaries took a moment to symbolically shovel dirt into small buckets. More than 100 neighbors and guests attended the event.

Among the speakers were CHHSM Board Vice Chair the Rev. Julie Jennings, associate dean at UCC-related Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, Mo.; Alderman Daniela Velázquez, representing Ward 6 of the City of St. Louis; Mark Anderson, president and CEO of the UCC and CHHSM partner Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) National Benevolent Association (NBA); Darrell Hughes, board chair of Compton Heights Christian Church (DOC), original home of Isaiah 58 Ministries, and current I58 financial secretary; and the Rev. David Woodard, associate regional minister for Mid-America (DOC), among others.

“As a cooperative ministry relating to both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Isaiah 58 Ministries embodies this collaborative spirit and connected mission every day,” said Jennings. “It extends this cooperative approach with the many community partners, congregations, and volunteers it engages and the people it supports. And through its cooperative approach, it engages compassion and care without co-opting the dignity, autonomy, and identity of the people who directly benefit from the services it provides.”

“CHHSM is proud to support the mission of Isaiah 58 Ministries and to be here for this beginning of a new chapter in its story,” Jennings added. “May what is built here provide the foundations of many more generations, where breaches in kindness and access to resources are repaired, where needs are satisfied, where connections are made, and where community flourishes.”

Also attending the event were several other DOC staffers, including Lauren Jones, the NBA’s health and human services program coordinator; and James Michel, building and capital services advisor and disaster response coordinator for the Disciples Church Extension Fund. The extension fund is Isaiah 58 Ministries’ lender for the purchase and renovations of the new space.

The decision to change location was the culmination of a four-year process.

“The church where we currently reside began conversations almost four years ago, visioning for what their future would look like. I was a part of that team, and we began asking the hard questions about space,” said Booth.

In the middle of the process, Booth used a sabbatical to visit several food pantries across the Midwest “to glean best practices.”

“During that time way,” she said, “I came to the full realization that God was calling us to something new.”

The board agreed that Isaiah 58 Ministries had outgrown its space, so in October 2024, it began a property search. The focus was on available properties in the area where most Isaiah 58 Ministries guests reside. Isaiah 58 Ministries toured almost 20 properties, with the new space in the Dutchtown area chosen as the building that best fit the ministries’ needs.

“It was large enough for us to continue our ministry as we are, but also provided ample space to expand and eventually welcome ministry partners to share space,” Booth said. The new building also is on two main bus lines, allowing Isaiah 58 Ministries’ guests even easier access.

The new space—a former warehouse and wedding shop—needs extensive renovations. The first floor had been finished for the wedding shop, but the upper floors have subflooring only.

After renovations, the ground floor will hold the food pantry, clothing room, and a large reception area that will include a hospitality station, children’s area, and reading area. Behind that will be space for volunteers to sort food and clothing without disrupting the guests. The food pantry will have a walk-in cooler and freezer, and space for fresh produce and other items.

Isaiah 58’s shower ministry, which opened in September 2024, currently has one shower. The second floor of the new space will be renovated to include three or four showers. That floor also will include a second welcome area, where unhoused guests can relax as they wait for a shower. 

Additionally, a teaching/catering kitchen, a conference room, and a common/multipurpose room for events, worship, and other gatherings will be located on the second floor. The first two floors will include office space as well.

The third-floor renovations will not take place immediately, but will be used as Isaiah 58 Ministries continue to grow and expand.

“This building is not the finish line—it is the foundation,” said Booth. “It is a promise to our community that we are here, we are growing, and we are building a lasting home where everyone belongs.”

Initial renovations are scheduled to be completed sometime in November 2026. Isaiah 58 Ministries will continue to provide outreach at its current location until the new space opens.