DETROIT – Members of a church in one of Detroit’s most polluted zip codes say they’re on a mission to make a difference.
New Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church on Deacon Street is located in 48217.
According to its members, the Southwest Detroit church campus is surrounded by at least 23 industries and factories.
However, the church is prioritizing going green and clean for its community, which is catching the attention of organizations willing to step up and help in the efforts.
“We’ve been here since 1947,” said Deacon Wilson Moore as he made his way around the fellowship hall, greeting neighbors and visitors on Thursday. “As you can see, today, we’re feeding the community.”
Church members said New Mount Hermon is about community first. In addition to providing regular brunch days for anyone who needs a meal or fellowship, Deacon Moore said they have other programs focused on feeding the community’s needs.
“The saying is we’re the Beacon on the Deacon,” Moore laughed.
There are other reasons the church’s work is catching greater interest across Metro Detroit. One is its innovative mission to prioritize green energy.
“We are concerned about the environmental footprint that we are leaving in the community,” said Pastor Alex Hill. “Also, to make sure that we are providing necessary services to the community as well.”
A crew with Ryter Cooperative Industries is busy outside the church right now. The workers are installing solar panels, the latest clean energy project New Mount Hermon is tackling.
A grant and partnership with Michigan Interfaith Power & Light makes the solar project possible.
“We’ve seen a growing interest in congregations of all faith traditions in solar energy, but we’ve seen a real gap in who can access it,” said Leah Wiste, Executive Director of Michigan Interfaith Power & Light. ”New Mt. Hermon is one of the first Black churches in the state to go solar. And for us, that’s so important because we’re trying to build a powerful, inclusive movement.”
In addition to solar panels, the church also installed energy-efficient doors, a new furnace, and new air conditioning units, among other things. These moves have helped the church cut costs.
The clean energy efforts don’t end there. The church plans to extend its green focus across the street to a space that will become the community’s future Eden Park.
“We’re excited in terms of what we are doing,” Pastor Hill said. “Hopefully, we’ll be a catalyst for others to get on board.”
Michigan Interfaith Power & Light said New Mount Hermon is one of six Detroit-based congregations it’s working with to make climate—and energy-based improvements to buildings.
Click here for more information about Michigan Interfaith Power & Light.