San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Hope key to ChurchUnder Bridge
Many of those who attend live in nearby tent city
As daylight faded to dusk, the Rev. Mark A. Smith walked an East Side sidewalk to check on the welfare of homeless people lined up for a meal at the Church Under the Bridge.
Smith administers the church portion of the ministry at 724 Chestnut St. that’s a refuge for the unsheltered.
The diners flocked froma nearby tent city beneath the Interstate 37 overpass. They trickled in from encampments that dot the East Side neighborhood. They traveled from ramshackle structures tucked in corners of highways crisscrossing downtown and outside areas.
Upbeat music blared from a speaker as the pastor spoke to each person in line. It’s his ministry, to listen as people talk about their dreams and aspirations. Each stop builds a relationship, so the customers may be willing to talk about what they have gone through and how they arrived at this point in their lives.
“Church Under the Bridge was brought into existence specifically to serve the street people of San Antonio,” said Smith, 62. “That’s thewhole point ofwhywe’re here, so people can feel welcome. Here, everyone isona level-playing field. Theydon’thave toworry about being judged. People are people. Here they can feel completely comfortable because everybody is prettymuch like they are.”
Dianne Talbert, executive director, said that because of an expansion of services, the nonprofit will change itsnameFriday toCommunities Under the Bridge.
Talbert said the church will be a single arm under the nonprofit that offers medical, dental and family support.
“Because we do somuch more, our charter has changed,” shesaid. “We see ourselves as stewards of a program that community churches and businesses can come and serve the needy. We’re just a connector, just the hub. We provide the space and expertise for them to come and bear their heart and
do what they want to do.”
Talbert, 64, said a strategic planning committee met twice a month, for11months, todetermine anameandplan for their changing charter.
Their partners include Street Medicine, a team of doctors, nurses, andmedical studentswhooffer medical care to people living on the streets and the ChristianMedical and Dental Association, provide medical and dental to needy families and individuals.
The church first formed in 1997, beneath the U.S. 281 highway overpassnear thePearlBrewery. As the congregation grew, they moved to a tavern and later a warehouse.
Three businessmen bought the land and built the almost 9,000square-foot building for $1.3 million.
Until COVID-19, the church had three weekly services. After worship, it provided dinner, and on theway out of the door, customers could pick up clothes and toilet
ries. There were activities such as Girl Talk, awomen’s life skill class, and an art class once a month. Also offered Bible study and partnered with other outreach programs that support the homeless.
The pandemic brought everything to a halt. Now there’s only one service on Sunday evening. Dinners still are served every day at 6 p.m.
Talbert said the homeless are their priority, but the doors also are open to lowincome families and anyone in need of assistance.
The dining area, once packedwith customers now serves as a repository for donated supplies, and necessities. Boxes of produce, tubs filled with clothes cover tables where the unsheltered once ate. White pocket bibles
and “You Are Not Forgotten,” booklets topped the metal serving line.
Recently, in the sanctuary, late evening sunlight beamed through stainedglass windows, casting flecks of red and yellow upon rows of green gift bags that lined the floor. Five volunteers from CMDA filled the bags with food, hygiene kits, donated socks, a beanie,