“My heart and Barbara’s heart has always been to people,” Wally Crabtree began when talking about the soon-to-open Alexander House. He went on to detail that he and wife Barb have always been led to help people coming out from broken situations, prison, and addictions. For ten years now, the Silver Bay residents have welcomed people into their home, sometimes to stay for months. Other times, local law enforcement has called Crabtree to ask if he could house someone overnight.
“I feel like we’re in a time when we have to start treating everybody like the New Testament and Acts treated everybody…working together to bring hope into people’s lives,” Wally Crabtree said. A chaplain for Lake County and pastor of Bassett Lake Community Church, Crabtree’s Christian faith has led him to this life of service to the “least of these”.
On October 1st, a dream of Crabtree’s will come to fruition. Three years ago, he began praying about starting a Christian housing project, which Crabtree terms a Fellowship House. Army veteran and Old Harbor Theater owner Matthew Unzeitig has been remodeling the residence at 517 6th Avenue in Two Harbors, and Crabtree will be renting the six-bedroom home from Unzeitig. In turn, Crabtree will then rent out four of the rooms for $600 a month, utilities included, to four male applicants, and reserve the other two rooms for ministry. The rent paid by the four residents will help to make the house self-sustaining. While this house is only for male residents, Crabtree’s next project will be a women’s house, and then a family residence.
The house will be named Alexander House, in memory of a man Crabtree ministered to that lost his battle with fentanyl at the age of 28. Crabtree envisions the residents of Alexander House “working together to become a family”. He’ll hold regular meetings with them, including faith-based A.A. meetings. Community outreach and meals will also be held.
“Those who really want to help other people, I want to really make it possible for them to have a place to help,” Wally Crabtree shared. Community donations are being accepted for furnishings for Alexander House, and Crabtree is asking for financial and spiritual support from local churches and individuals.
Crabtree recalls a time when his wife Barb was wheelchair-bound. The community gathered around, someone building them a ramp, and another gifting them a wheelchair-accessible van. With Barb now able to navigate a traditional vehicle, she and Wally have passed the blessing of the van on to a family with a wheelchair-bound daughter. The Crabtrees remember how much community support helped during that time, though, and know they need to be there for others.
Citing a story from the New Testament book of Acts, in which the leaders of the early Church appointed seven church members, including Stephen, later known as the first Christian martyr, to care for widows, Wally Crabtree explains how, “We want to reach out to the community. There are broken homes out there; we want to help.” He continued to explain the need for community members to share the talents and skills they have. “If many people are doing it, then it will be easier. You’ll just be doing what God has asked you to do.”
If you or your organization would like to help with this unique new ministry, Crabtree can be reached at (612) 219-4431.
