Miller, the church’s pastor, said Espinal still visits the church for Sunday services on occasion and remains beloved by many in the church.
Her apartment, which the church created in an unused preschool area on the second floor of the building, is still being put to good use. Two asylum seekers, one from Africa, one from South America, lived in the apartment in the last couple of years. It is now occupied temporarily by a Haitian refugee.
Who its future occupant might be remains to be seen. The church of about 180 members is committed to the holy work of “being sanctuary people for one another.”
“We’re actively talking and preparing,” Miller said. “But a lot is unknown.”
This article originally appeared here.
