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History

HANLEY FUNERAL HOME

Trinity Community Ministries is located in the historic Hanley Funeral Home building in the Sweet Auburn District. The building was constructed in 1915 and used originally as a Masonic lodge.  Mr. W.H. Hanley began a funeral home business in the 1920s, which became one of the largest African-American funeral homes in the South. It was the funeral home of legendary Middleweight Champion Boxer, Tiger Flames and for Dr.Martin Luther King Jr and his mother. 

The Birth Of Trinity Community Ministries

Our history begins in 1982 with Trinity United Methodist Church (Trinity UMC) in downtown Atlanta. In response to the growing needs of people experiencing homelessness, Trinity UMC opened their basement as an emergency overnight shelter. Over Time, this community outreach expanded to provide food and subsequently became a Sunday soup kitchen.

 

Several years after, Trinity the shelter and soup kitchen became an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, Trinity Community Ministries, Inc. The emergency shelter evolved to a transitional shelter for 10 men and was given the name Trinity House. In 1991, Trinity House welcomed its first Program Director, Leonard "Mzee" Tate. Mzee (Swahili for "wise man") brought a unique culturally significant brand of tough love to the program, which still exists today. "A Tough Program For Tough Times," became the mantra, and an environment of discipline and love was soon formed. 

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