Erin Hill
Gadsden County News Service
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Quincy recently passed its site inspection and final certification to become Gadsden County’s newest American Red Cross Emergency Shelter.
The Church Vestry had unanimously identified this as one of the goals for the coming year at the annual planning retreat in 2024. Although the church has occasionally been offered to the city in the past as a cold-weather shelter this formal step will take greater advantage of its resources with planned use. Also the church’s location and well-known Resurrection Window at 10 W. King Street make it a convenient and easily identifiable landmark for the public to find coming south on the Florida Hurricane Evacuation Route.
In a press release, Vestry Senior Warden, Mark Armesto, said, “Many people might not know it but St. Paul’s facilities have been used as a way station on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War and a medical clinic during both World Wars I and II. This initiative with the American Red Cross is simply part of our continuing history of providing care, compassion and service to our community. And the current congregation is proud to write this next chapter.” St. Paul’s Rector, the Rev. Canon Tanya Scheff, added, “Our initial inquiries with the Red Cross were warmly received and our subsequent meetings have proved very fruitful. We are looking forward to the training that the Red Cross provides and hope members of the general public will show an interest so there will be a growing team of qualified helpers from diverse backgrounds ready to welcome and assist people in times of need.”
Scheff previously worked as an EMT and currently serves as a Quincy Police Department Chaplain. She knows that when disaster strikes sometimes just a warm smile or a helping hand can make a life changing difference. Make plans to attend the Shelter Heroes Training Workshop on Saturday, August 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Paul’s Parish Hall. Lunch will be provided for all participants. To Register contact Ms. Kathy Bland at Kathy.bland3@redcross.org or call the church office at
(850) 627-6257.