our origins
Karen & Lon · Karen and Lon moved to their current home at 77 Green Street over 10 years ago. They have shared their home with others for most of their married life. Yet, ever since leaving family, and moving to Boston, they had longed for a larger and 'closer' community to share life together. In the Spring of 2003, Lon and Karen both sensed that God was calling them to make a bold move toward folfilling that desire. At the same time, the property at 71-73 Green Street came onto the market.
After much thought and prayer, and after encountering some surprisingly intense and difficult legal and financial issues, the Karen and Lon purchased the property on September 16, 2003. But the property was in need of substantial renovation and improvement.
Seeds of Community · While renovations began, Karen and Lon put out 'feelers' for others interested in living in community. Kelly became the first of the eventual dozen adults in the community. On October 20th, Daniela and Joel saw a web posting and picked up the phone.
Daniela and Joel · Daniela and Joel have had a desire for intentional community ever since they were married. Both had eperienced the many benefits of living as an extended family in their home country of Switzerland. After years of prayer for community, they also began feeling out possible ways that they might be able to start community in or around their apartment in Jamaica Plain. But the logistics of finding sufficient space proved challenging. After taking a trip back to Switzerland in order to gain discernment about how and where God might use them next, they returned to their JP home to see Karen and Lon's web posting. Several lengthy conversations convinced these two families that God had brought them together to partner in growing intentional community.
Moving in · Renovations continued with the goal of a move-in date for December 6th. Despite blizzard conditions, Daniela and Joel were able to move into their new home in 71 Green Street. There was only one problem: Because of an oversight by Lon, the house had no heat! The two families had the unique opportunity to live in 'unintentional' community while living for the next week and a half in Karen and Lon's home.
71 Green Street · Over the next several months, as renovations proceeded, the community grew. Oxana and Ruben arrived from Romania in February. Ruben is studying voice at the Longy School of Music. Oxana grew up in Siberia, and stays home with their son Elias and brand new Sofia. 71 was now full.
73 Green Street · As work continued in 73, we began having community meals on Saturday nights. THis provided a time for others interested in community to come, visit and get to know our growing project. By May, interior work was nearing completion. Over the next couple of weeks, two couples, Melanie and Gisle, and Joanna and Nate, as well as two singles, Cindy and Laura moved into the newly renovated space. Bola from Nigeria moved in with Lon and Karen after a short stint in 73.