Beverly Covenant Church Continues Parade Day Hospitality

CHICAGO - A Beverly neighborhood church is once again opening its doors for families who may need it during the South Side Irish Parade on Sunday. Hospitality will be provided by the Beverly Covenant Church at 10545 S. Claremont Ave. (one block east of the Western Avenue parade route) from 11:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the parade ends on Sunday, March 17.

The building will be open for anyone in need of a clean bathroom, snack or warm place to hang out, according to a Beverly Area Planning Association e-newsletter.

"This is a simple way we can bless our neighbors," Pastor Don Nelson said.

The church will serve hot drinks and light snacks and offer comfortable spaces for childcare needs, Nelson said.

"Guests are welcome to sit in our beautiful sanctuary."

Nelson, who has been pastor at Beverly Covenant for 18 years, said the church began welcoming people on Parade Day a few years before he arrived.

"It has been about 20 years," he said.

The BAPA newsletter says the tradition has been going on long enough for adults who stopped in the church on Parade Day as children are now sharing the tradition with their own families.