St. Paul's United Methodist Church has been at the downtown location across the street from San Jose State University since 1958, doing ministry on justice. This church stands at the crossroad of homelessness, mental health issues, and violence. For generations, it served to find solutions: advocating for justice and delivering kindness. 

The church suffered a two-alarm arson fire on June 8, 2022 and is working with its insurance to rebuild. In the meantime, we are continuing to serve through our ministries where we can. We ask for donations to go towards the following:

We have started a community vegetable garden on the church grounds to alleviate the shortage of fresh food in the community. We plan to use this fund for six garden beds, soil, seeds, and other supplies.

Our tenant partner, Front Door Communities, also lost all of its service items. The organization continues its service from the outdoor space. This funding will supplement their ability to continue serving the homeless and fragile community in downtown San Jose.

This funding will also allow us to be mobile for worship until we can clean up the asbestos contamination and restore power in the usable 20% of our building.

 Veggie Garden

Our 2023 Vegetable garden is about ready for harvest.  You are welcome to visit anytime and help harvest the butternut squash, tomatoes, peppers and other squashes.  Leave them for Front Door Community folks to share with those in need of fresh produce or leave them to share with other food sharers in down town San Jose!.

Fire Recovery Update

St. Paul’s Fire Team (aka the Nitty Gritty Team).  The team is comprised of David and Karen Lowe, Helen Lund, Harry Vacek, Pastor Helen and myself, Connie Hunter.
Following is a long overdue update:
* It is with some remorse that we notified LifeMoves, who had been leasing the Steven’s House since 2001, that we would not be renewing the lease when it terminates on May 31.  The plan is to establish our church offices there as well as a small library.  We will be able to use the space for small meetings and the backyard for potlucks, the first of which is planned for June.  
* St. Paul’s has received insurance payments totaling $4.5 million.  These funds, less the payments made to our insurance adjuster Greenspan (7.5%) and less the expenses incurred for water and smoke damage recovery and lead and asbestos abatement, are invested in a bond ladder (assets mature at different times) and are held in a Schwab investment account.  We anticipate receiving an insurance check to cover the loss of the organ in the next month, a check for around $750,000.
* St. Paul’s continues to seek a partner to build affordable housing on our property – as well as a church.  SJSU has said they are still interested and we are waiting for a proposal from them.  We met with another developer, introduced to us by members of the UMC of Santa Cruz, Sibley Simon and will meet with him for a site visit the first week of June.  Other affordable housing firms have been contacted and either have not yet responded or have told us they cannot take on another project.
* The St. Paul’s buildings are still standing.  The reason is that the asbestos abatement (removal of the sanctuary roof tiles) cannot be performed until TMobile removes the antenna in the steeple.  Once it is removed, the asbestos abatement can be completed and the buildings demolished.
* TMobile reps and members of St. Paul’s fire team will meet with the City of San Jose on Monday, May 22nd seeking a permit to put up a ‘cell on wheels (COW)’ in the church parking lot.   The best outcome would be that TMobile is granted a permit over the counter.  Otherwise it may be months – or perhaps never.
* St. Paul’s fire team has met with a real estate and land use attorney, Steve Cassidy.  We were introduced to him by the members of the UMC of Santa Cruz.  He has volunteered to represent us regarding TMobile at no cost to us.  He is currently representing Peace UCC in Santa Cruz in negotiations with ATT.  He has also agreed to represent St. Paul’s as we navigate the complexities of striking a deal with a partner and building affordable housing.

Temporary Worship Location

The most beautiful classroom in Santa Clara County.  Join us at the Chapel of Norte Dame High School.  Parking lot:  
596 South 2nd Street, San Jose, 95112
Once parked, walk out on Reed and turn left on 3rd until you get to the open door need the corner of 3rd and William.