Senator Montgomery joins Reverend Emma Knox and the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church family to celebrate the renovation of their Sancutary

Senator Montgomery joins Rev. Dr. Emma Knox, Pastor of the Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church; Assemblywoman Annette Robinson; Assistant Chief Jeffrey Maddrey,Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn North; Tremaine Wright, Chairperson of Community Board 3; Henry Butler, District Manager of Community Board 3; congregation members; and community members at a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to celebrate Historic Rugged Cross Baptist Church’s newly renovated Main Sanctuary.  Rugged Cross Baptist Church, built in 1898, is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. 

To assist with the costs of the restoration of the sanctuary and the capital needs of the church, Senator Montgomery worked with Rev. Knox to develop a solution. As a result of a partnership with the church and Dunn Development Corporation, the Rugged Cross Apartments was built.  Rugged Cross Apartments converted the church's parking lot into affordable housing; and incorporates many of the church's architectural elements, including a first floor facade of precast stone and quoining. The Rugged Cross Apartments is an innovative model, mixing supportive housing for formerly homeless single adults with affordable apartments for low-income, working families. A mix of studio and two-bedroom apartments, this integrated building includes twenty-four hour front desk coverage and on-site support services provided by CAMBA, Inc., a Brooklyn-based nonprofit service provider.  

At the Ribbon-Cutting for the Sanctuary, Rev. Knox presented an award to Senator Montgomery in recognition and appreciation of her "hard work and dedication to the church and our community." To learn more about the restoration of the sanctuary, visit http://www.nylandmarks.org/programs_services/grants/sacred_sites_program/projects/rugged_cross_baptist_church. 

For more information about the Rugged Cross Apartments, visit http://www.dunndev.com/L3/ruggedcross.html

​