Mt. Hermon, Ft. Lauderdale Burns Mortgage and Holds Groundbreaking for Apartment Development
TCR Staff
On April 30, Mount Hermon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida celebrated two momentous events in the life of the congregation. First, the church formally retired its Family Life Center mortgage and second, they held the groundbreaking for the new Mount Hermon Apartments affordable senior housing facility. The congregation, AME clergy from across the 11th District, and members of the community were on hand to celebrate this joyous occasion.
Mt. Hermon’s pastor, the Rev. Trae Green presided over the worship service welcoming participation from Presiding Elders Vincent Mitchell, Willie Cook and Henry Green, III. Trustees and Stewards from Mt. Hermon read the various parts of the mortgage burning and groundbreaking liturgies throughout the service. Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III, Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal District delivered the message, “Victory Starts Here: Taking Care of Business” (Luke 19: 11-27). He implored the congregation to focus on financial freedom and faith drawing from the example of the Free African Society.
The service reached its apex with the burning of the mortgage papers in the presence of the congregation. Special honor was given to Presiding Elder Green who as the immediate past pastor of the church negotiated the final terms to pay off the mortgage as well as the deal for the new housing facility. After the service, the congregation immediately proceeded to the groundbreaking of the Mt. Hermon Apartments. Operated jointly with the Housing Trust Group (HTG),the new seven-story property will offer one and two-bedroom units reserved for income qualifying residents 62 and older. The property is financed with a mix of public financing, bank loans, and grants and is slated to open in 2024. It is estimated that the development will have a $39 million dollar economic impact in the church’s community.
Reflecting on the day, the Rev. Green commented, “Today was proof that every crisis has an expiration date, we must continue in all things to trust in God. Bishop Reid gave us a word for the ages at today’s groundbreaking and mortgage burning celebration—T. C. B. Take Care of Business. If we do that God will take care of us.”
