HISTORY

1994

MCDC FOUNDED

Memorial Baptist Church experienced dramatic growth in membership. Under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Adrian M. Brooks Sr., the church decided to organize the Memorial Community Development Corp to meet the needs of the poverty stricken center city. 

1995

HOOVER FELLOWSHIP HALL EXPANSION & ACQUISITION OF VINEGAR FACTORY AND DILAPIDATED HOUSING PARCELS

The church membership quickly grows out of the Hoover Hall expansion and plans for building a new church as well as bring commercial assets to the neighborhood begin.  

1996

A SUBWAY RESTAURANT IS BUILT

The Ellsperman family built Subway and the business and franchise are sold to MCDC in 1998 as a component to its Youth Employment Program. Deacon Nathan Young managed the Subway from 1998-2002. The business franchise was later sold; however, MCDC retained ownership of the property. 

1997

MEMORIAL POINTE I 

The first housing development of MCDC was a Senior Housing Complex located behind the church. A survey revealed that Senior Housing was great need for Center City residents. 

1998

A DYNAMIC YEAR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH & MCDC

On February 15, 1998, the historical march to the new church occurred in addition to several developments surrounding the church.

MEMORIAL CHILDCARE MINISTRY

In memory of  Tamia Butler-Hall and Gladys C. Watkins, Mikeley Butler-Hall, Kenneth and Kevin Kirkwood provided seed funding to renovate the Hoover Fellowship Hall and convert it to a registered childcare ministry.

1999

MEMORIAL PLACE I IS DEVELOPED

The first multi-family housing complex is built utilizing a variety of public, private, and government funds. The complex contains 16-three and four bedroom apartment homes.

MEMORIAL POINTE HEALTHCARE 

The Old Church is renovated and converted to a clinic where affordable healthcare serives are offered to the community. The Clinic specifically addresses the needs of African Americans through education and care.  

2001

MEMORIAL POINTE II

An additional ten units of Senior Housing is developed behind Memorial Baptist Church.

2002

Youth Basketball Program

MCDC launches the Memorial Basketball League to provide children of all ages the opportunity to build character through the sport of basketball. 

2003

MEMORIAL PLACE II

Phase II of Memorial Place Apartment Homes brings 8 additional units of affordable housing to the community. 

2004

MEMORIAL TOWNHOUSE I

Developed 8 units along the Walnut Street corridor where additional blight was eliminated and replaced with quality, affordable housing.

LAUNCHES YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

A partnership with the City of Evansville created the Front Door Pride Program that employs and youth and young adults during the summer for 8-10 weeks. In 2010 the program becomes year-round.

2008

MEMORIAL TOWNHOUSE II

This development brought 34 affordable units to two center city neighborhoods.

2009

LAUNCHES THE GARDEN MARKET PROGRAM

Employed by youth, the Garden Market program brings fresh and affordable fruit and vegetables to the neighborhood. 

50 HOMES INITIATIVE

A Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy sparked this multi-year, multi-phase initiative that provides home ownership opportunities for underserved populations. 

TUTORING & MENTORING PROGRAM

Five African American churches partner to bring supplemental education services to youth. MCDC SWAG (Students' Working to Achieve Greatness) empowers young people with homework assistance, tutoring, mentoring, and a hot meal. 

2010

EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR 

In partnership with the City of Evansville, ERP provides income eligible homeowners with needed repairs that allow them to remain their homes. 

2011

KICKS OFF FIT CAMP

A growing need to increase physical activity in school age youth and fight childhood obesity resulted in the development of Summer Fit Camp; whose mission is to help youth establish healthy lifelong habits. 

2014

FIRST MULTI-FAMILY REHAB

Memorial Commons was Phase I of the first apartment complex renovation and included a total of 8 affordable energy efficient one and two bedroom apartment units. 

PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FROM NCUA TO CHARTER A CREDIT UNION

Community assessments demonstrate a need for affordable financial services. MCDC identifies a solution with the development of a low-income community based credit union. 

2015

MCDC ACQUIRES MEMORIAL SHOPPING PLAZA & DOWNTOWN MARKET

An effort to save a local grocery store and bring additonal businesses to the community. 

MULTI-FAMILY REHAB PHASE II

Memorial Commons Riverside was Phase II of the Memorial Commons renovation and included a total of 10 affordable energy efficient one bedroom apartment units. 

2016

FOUR HOMES BUILT

The 50 home initiative builds four homes in the center city and two are pre-sold to income eligible home buyers. 

FOUNDED EABCC

The founders of the Evansville Area Black Chamber of Commerce sought to support and empower Black business owners and leaders. 

2017

GENERAL CONTRACTORS TRAINING

The General Contractors Training offered low cost residential and commercial training.  The course also included business training and professional development for participants.  

2018

MEMORIAL PLACE I RENOVATION

After 20 years in service, Memorial Place I decided to keep these units affordable and completed a two phase renovation. This complex has provided affordable housing for hundreds of families. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE

Developed to mobilize and organize around justice issues and movements, and give liberating leadership to the public policy and social activism initiatives in the community.

CULVER RENOVATION

The Culver Renovation sold to an eligible home buyer after one month of being on the market. The renovation restored a blighted property and included high end amenitites and energy efficient technologies. 

BITS & BYTES COMPUTER CLUB

Founded by Debbie Calhoun, the computer club came under the umbrella of MCDC and teaches youngsters to not just be consumers, but doers of technology.