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By Nicole Seiferth

After serving as the only drop-in shelter for the homeless of Lower Manhattan for more than 20 years, John Heuss House closed yesterday.

The drop-in center, which served more than 20,000 men and women since it opened in 1988, looked and sounded like a different place on its last day. The main room, normally full of tables with people sitting, talking, eating, or sleeping, was empty of both furniture and clients. The office was quiet – no ringing phones, no client-caseworker conversations.

"Today marks a huge change, a huge shift in the lives of so many people," said the Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, as he welcomed the staff of Heuss House, and Trinity Wall Street parishioners and staff to a closing service held at 42 Beaver Street that afternoon. "As we gather here today, we give thanks for 20 years of profound compassion, life-changing ministry."

During the service, a former staff member spoke emotionally about his ties to Heuss House. "They gave me the opportunity to practice my trade, my profession. This place is more than just a sanctuary for the homeless, downtrodden, the disenchanted."

The Rev. Canon Anne Mallonee, vicar of Trinity Wall Street, recounted a story from one of her visits at the shelter. On that day, a client shared with Canon Mallonee the story of how her own faith and the Heuss House community had saved her life more than once.

"I left here re-energized and re-committed to serve this faith community, because of her gift," she recalled. "That’s what we’re all to continue to do: to share hope and faith in a very hurting world. "

Heuss House learned in December 2008 that the city would not renew the shelter's lease at 42 Beaver Street. Without a viable space, Heuss House was unable to reapply for city funds to continue operating.

Although 42 Beaver Street is now closed, the John Heuss House Corporation and Trinity Wall Street will continue to be involved in the lives of Lower Manhattan's homeless. In her sermon on the prior Sunday, Canon Mallonee outlined the four-part plan that congregation and staff members have developed for Trinity’s ministry with the homeless going forward. Follow the link at the right to watch the sermon.

Nicole Seiferth is assistant editor for web and parish publications at Trinity Wall Street.