San Antonio Church Turns Parking Lot Into Community Park

A church in San Antonio has taken a bold step in reimagining its role in the community by transforming an old, unused parking lot into a vibrant public green space. Charis Park, located in the Terrell Heights neighborhood, now thrives where an acre of asphalt once stood unused. This unique project, led by Sunset Ridge Church & Collective and its pastoral leader Jess Lowry, marks the beginning of a broader initiative to repurpose underutilized church-owned land across the city.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunset Ridge Church faced declining attendance and recognized a need to adapt. Lowry, who had long been inspired by a vision of turning pavement into purpose, partnered with Sarah Woolsey, executive director of The Impact Guild and Good Acres—a nonprofit dedicated to helping churches reimagine their properties for public good.

Good Acres has identified more than 3,000 acres of underused church land across San Antonio. Charis Park is the pilot project for what could become a city-wide movement to convert faith-based real estate into community-building spaces.

Despite having no playground or flashy attractions, Charis Park has become a local hub. Families gather, kids ride bikes, and neighbors connect over coffee, fresh produce at the farmers market, or slices from Scott’s Pizza—small businesses that have found a home in this revitalized space.

The materials from the original parking lot remain on-site, repurposed within the park, demonstrating sustainable stewardship. The effort has inspired a growing curiosity among residents, with many saying, “I want to be a part of the church that did that.”

The transformation of Charis Park not only breathes new life into a once-empty lot but also casts a hopeful vision for what thousands of church-owned acres in San Antonio could become—spaces of healing, community, and hospitality.

For more details, refer to the original article on Fox SA.