Stephen’s House

Aldersgate opens sixth house for special needs adults named in honor of UMCSC pastor

By Jessica Brodie

COLUMBIA—A sixth South Carolina house to help special needs adults live independently in a faith-based setting is now up and running.

On Oct. 29, supporters of Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry gathered for a dedication ceremony at Stephen’s House, a home in Columbia near Irmo that accommodates four men with special needs.

Stephen’s House was named in honor of the Rev. Stephen Taylor, senior pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Irmo and one of the original founders of Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry, which began organizing through The United Methodist Church in fall 2002 and launched as a legal nonprofit ministry in 2003.

Before a crowd of supporters and Aldersgate families, Aldersgate Executive Director Kim Thomas dedicated the home to Taylor “for all your dedication and work throughout the years.”

In addition to honoring Taylor, the home also included a room dubbed “the Poston Room” in honor of the Poston family, whose donation helped make the home possible.

The dedication included a consecration prayer and litany of dedication led by Dr. Sheila Elliot Hodge and the Rev. Meg Cook, two Columbia-area United Methodist pastors. Columbia District Superintendent the Rev. Fran Elrod offered the benediction.

A reception and tour of Stephen’s House followed.

“It’s a humbling honor to be attached to the ministry of Aldersgate Special Needs Ministry,” Taylor said in appreciation of the dedication, which came as a surprise to him.

Stephen’s House is the latest Aldersgate home to house adults with special needs, enabling them to live as independently as possible in a quality home in a Christian environment.

The five other Aldersgate homes for adults with special needs are Aldersgate at The Oaks, in Orangeburg at The Oaks, which accommodates six men; Columbia Builder’s Care Home, in Columbia near Epworth Children’s Home, which accommodates six women; Rick’s House, at The Manor in Florence, which accommodates four men; Sunshine House, also at The Manor, which accommodates four men; and Tommy’s House, near Irmo in the Coldstream subdivision, which accommodates four men.

Thomas said there is a vast need for homes for people with special needs in South Carolina, particularly as their caregivers—typically parents—age.

Enabling these men and women to have a Christian home where they can live relatively independently can be a huge relief for these families.

To learn more about Aldersgate, visit https://www.aldersgatesnm.org, or check out their book, available from the Advocate Press, at https://advocatesc.org/store/books/aldersgate.