Redemption House

In April of 2008 we bought 60 Sherman Street, at the heart of the Redemption Zone, to show by example the power of redemptive living. Redemption House is a metaphor for Springfield, and for America: it's foundation, frame and roof are sound and strong. But the house had fallen into serious disrepair. The last owners had abandoned it more than a year before and squatters had taken it over in the interim. It had become a haunt of drug addicts and prostitutes.

The sewer pipe had collapsed under the front yard

The sewer pipe had collapsed under the front yard and created a crater so large that the front sidewalk had fallen into it.

The yard was overgrown and filled with trash

1/4 acre of grounds, left untended for over a dozen years.

Both chimneys were severely damaged

Thieves had stolen all of the copper plumbing

In the process of stealing the pipes, they ripped out walls and ceilings

The house was filled with more than 10 tons of trash

We packed two of the largest size dumpsters