Church group aims for lasting presence in Codman Square
At the end of a peaceful, weeklong occupation of a trouble-plagued Dorchester neighborhood, the pastor and parishioners from Global Ministries Christian Church announced a plan for their next, more permanent occupation.
The Rev. Bruce Wall wants his church to buy and redevelop a Dorchester apartment building where, he and his supporters say, much of the Codman Square's troubles brew.
He announced plans for the $1.5 million purchase yesterday afternoon, at the end of his 11 a.m. service. Several city leaders stood next to Wall as he made the announcement.
Larry Mays, the city's chief of human services, was there to represent Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
''The mayor definitely wants to help," Mays said after the service.
The city doesn't have money to give the church, Mays said, but it does have lots of contacts in the philanthropic world.
Building owner Chris Duffy of Boston said the property is not officially for sale, but for the right price he would sell.
The eight-unit, red-brick apartment building at 4-6 Lyndhurst St. sits on the corner of Washington Street. Wall and his supporters say that at this building, and the one next to it, drug dealers have been openly selling their wares and prostitutes have been boldly doing business.
The street has been plagued with violence; on July 4, a man was shot and killed in front of the buildings.
Last Sunday night, Wall and his supporters told the drug dealers and prostitutes they had had enough; they moved into an apartment around the corner from the half-block span they call ''the hell zone." They stayed for a week, walking the streets, talking to residents, bringing national attention to the neighborhood and their reclamation efforts.
Politicians, police officers, and television crews came to visit. Some residents embraced them; others scoffed at the idea that a one-week stint could make a lasting difference.
Yesterday morning, Wall and his roommates left Washington Street and strolled to their church. They said their weeklong presence had been effective but they wanted to do more.
Buying the building and establishing an anchor in that block is a logical next step, Mays said.
''This effort really answers the question, 'What's the point of it all?' " he said.
Still, Wall said he needs about $1.5 million to purchase 4-6 Lyndhurst St. The church doesn't believe in accruing debt, so a mortgage is not an option, he said.
Wall is hoping that the national publicity garnered during the occupation will help, and he has his eye on sports celebrities, including New England's football team.
''I know one of the Patriots is a Christian, and I hear that one of the Red Sox players is too," he told his delighted congregation at yesterday's service.
''I'm not thinking that I have to raise it. I think there's someone out there who wants to give it to us," he said.
If the church buys the building, Wall said that he would provide low-cost housing for area residents and free living space for missionaries who volunteer in the area.
He wants to move his office there, too.
Duffy, meanwhile, said he's frustrated by perception that his building is a breeding ground for criminals. ''It's been demonized all week," he said.
Duffy said he doesn't condone drug dealing or prostitution but can't evict people based on rumors.
If people have proof of drug dealing and prostitution in his building, he said, he wants to know about it.
''Anybody can make accusations. I need proof," he said.
Christine McConville can be reached at cmcconville@globe.com. 