WS Chronicle

By Ashlea Jones

For The Chronicle

Habitat for Humanity dedicates two houses to new Habitat homeowners in an unprecedented dedication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 17. Sabrina Allen and Wallace Peoples, the latest Habitat homeowners, are now neighbors in Habitats’ first ever twin homes.

“I would like to thank everybody at Habitat, including my sponsors, for making my dreams a reality,” said Allen.

Built by the collaboration of the Downtown Church Coalition and the Salem Congregation of Moravian Churches, the twin homes were dedicated in the memory of the Rev. Dr. Cedric S. Rodney. Rodney was the first full-time pastor of St. Philip’s Moravian Church in Old Salem.

“Rev. Dr. Cedric Rodney was the first African-American Moravian Minister. I had the privilege of working with him at Winston-Salem State University and he was an icon there, establishing the James A. Gray lecture series and being a community leader,” said Sylvia Oberle, executive director of Habitat Forsyth. “So in his memory and his honor, this home is being built by these churches and particularly by the Salem Congregation of the Moravian Church.”

Allen and Peoples were presented with house warming gifts from Proctor and Gamble, The Farm at The Children’s Home and the Col. Joseph Winston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dr. Mae Rodney, wife of the late Rev. Dr. Cedric Rodney, presented the new homeowners with Moravian stars.

“I am truly delighted to be able to present these Moravian stars. There are 26 points on the stars, and as you hang them during the advent season, I hope you will look at those 26 points and remember these multiple hands that came together as a village to construct this house “said Mrs. Rodney.

More than 25 churches and numerous volunteers donated their time and talent to building the homes. “When I first found out about the construction of this property, my heart was delighted,” said Mrs. Rodney. “I saw Winston-Salem State University students, faculty members, members of the Moravian congregation, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterians. They all came together as a village and constructed this wonderful memorial.”

The twin homes are located in the historic Boston Thurmond neighborhood, among 140 houses that have either been built are renovated by Habitat for Humanity. Forsyth County’s Habitat for Humanity has also made the neighborhood the home of their headquarters.

“This neighborhood has been rebuilt. It’s a beautiful rich historical neighborhood. Many people, generations of people living here and these families will just add to that,” Oberle said.