The History of St. Stephen’s Court Apartments
An Affordable Housing Complex in Northwest Baltimore
2355 W. North Avenue

 In July 1959, when the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin moved to Walbrook, the Reverend E. Lawrence Lacher was placed in charge of the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr, built in 1900 and located on the corner of North and Warwick Avenues. However, over time it became obvious that the church could not stay open much longer due to a decline in members leading to financial instability. The church closed its doors in July 1969.

 At that time, Fr. Lacher was given the responsibility by the owners (The Society of St. John the Evangelist) to liquidate the assets of the church and land, selling it preferably to some organization which would use the property for the benefit of the neighborhood.

 In the late 1960’s fifteen hundred families were displaced in preparation for the building of the East-West Expressway.  This caused an acute shortage of housing in northwest Baltimore.   In 1968, the National Housing Act was passed by Congress, which included section 236.   This part of the Act provided an opportunity for non-profit sponsors to build housing for families with low and moderate incomes.   The Federal Housing Administration was authorized to provide 100% financing through an insured mortgage.   Fr. Lacher suggested to the Vestry of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin that St. Stephen’s property could be used to develop a housing complex which would be of real service to the community.   The Vestry agreed and sponsored a new non-profit corporation, St. Stephen’s Court Apartments, which made application to FHA for financing in November 1968.   A Feasibility Report   was received from FHA in June 1969.   The Firm Commitment on the Insured Mortgage was received in November 1969, and the Settlement date was set for 19 December 1969.

 Shortly after Christmas, the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr was removed and ground was broken for the new complex.  The first apartment units were opened for occupancy on 1 June 1970. By the middle of July, the 72 unit apartment complex was completed and fully occupied before the end of the summer.

 The complex contains one, two, and tree bedroom apartments.   Each unit includes gas, electricity, heat and air-conditioning.  Thus, the church is providing safe and decent housing for 72 families at moderate rates.  We are able to offer comparably low rents because FHA pays most of the interest on the mortgage.  The mortgage at the time of Final Settlement was $939,700.00, and runs for 40 years.  The final payment is due 1 February 2011.  

 The Board of Trustees of St. Stephen’s Court Apartments is appointed by the Rector and Vestry of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin.