Cedar Rapids, Iowa – A long-quality historical house in the neighborhood of Wellington Heights will be brought back to life-and two families will soon accommodate, who need affordable apartments.
Matthew 25, a non-profit organization of Cedar Rapids, restores the Coe-Paul-Haus, a 160-year-old property that has been empty for almost 20 years. The house originally belonged to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, who donated the house together with $ 150,000 instead of tearing it off.
“It will take a lot of TLC,” said Clint Twedt-Ball, Executive Director of Matthew 25.
The organization has contributed to repairing hundreds of houses in Cedar Rapids after the flood of 2008 and 2020. Now it is only $ 75,000 from the full financing of the Coe-Paul House project, with the aim of ending until the end of the year.
The house was originally built by Coe College in the 1860s to accommodate a farmer who worked with students. It changed the owner several times and finally landed with St. Pauls. Church leaders say they wanted to give the house and the neighborhood a new life.
“We believe in resurrection and new life,” said Pastor Jonathan Heifner. “We want this house to help more families to be able to thrive.”
Donations to support the project can be carried out by contacting Matthew 25 under 319-362-2214 or info@mathew-25.org.