Who We Are

The Historic Firehouse 7 Campaign Committee is a group of organizations and individuals who have joined together to preserve a neighborhood asset and anchor in the community. 

Our Goal

Together, the NNRO and NENC's goal is to secure the future of the building by completing the needed safety upgrades, ensuring accessibility, and completing historic preservation work that restores the building in a manner that both honors the designated landmark status as well as makes the building a more visible public-use structure in the growing neighborhood. Our Financial Goal is to raise $250,000.

How We're Improving Historic Firehouse 7

Historic Firehouse 7 campaign will allow for the following improvements: masonry, fascia, shaker siding, concrete, lighting, and restoring some of the lost historic architectural features. Funding will also complete painting of the building, the introduction of new signage, and improvement of landscaping to be more pedestrian and neighborhood friendly. An additional key goal of the Firehouse Campaign is making the building more visible in the neighborhood. By introducing new signage, new entry doors, repainting the shingles, and eliminating the shrubbery around the building, the Fire House will begin to be more fully recognized as an important neighborhood asset. With these improvements the Firehouse will continue to be an important part of the narrative of the neighborhood.

1904 – 1968
Firehouse No. 7 was built in 1904. Located at 803 N. Notre Dame Ave, the Queen Anne style building was designed by South Bend architect Charles Brehmer, who lived across the street in a house he designed in 1884 (no longer in existence.) Brehmer was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame where he studied architecture from 1876-1882. He designed a number of houses in South Bend, including the fire station at 219 Hill Street. The structure serves as visible marker to the entrance of Notre Dame Ave leading north to the University of Notre Dame. The Firehouse is one of few buildings that remain from this period.

1968 – Present
The No. 7 Fire Station served the City of South Bend until 1968 when it became too antiquated to serve as a functioning Fire Station. Shortly thereafter the Northeast Neighborhood Council (the NENC), the local neighborhood organization began meeting at the station. The Fire Station continues to serve as the home base for the NENC. For numerous years the the NENC has operated a food pantry in the lower level of the building and many neighborhood meetings and gatherings also take place here.

During its long history in the neighborhood, the Firehouse has remained a building for public use and service. As Firehouse 7 for the City of South Bend to its present use as the Northeast Neighborhood Council Center, the Firehouse is one of the few remaining structures in the neighborhood focusing on community.
The NENC was established in 1966. It is the oldest continually operating neighborhood association in the City of South Bend. The NENC exists: (1) to promote, without profit, needed community services to the residents of the northeast side of South Bend, Indiana; and (2) to develop partnerships between the residents of the northeast side of South Bend, Indiana, and inter-community relations with neighboring communities, including universities, colleges, businesses, religious institutions, government agencies, and any other interested parties. 

Food Pantry
Currently the NENC Food Pantry is operated three days a week at the Firehouse for residents in the neighborhood. The Food Pantry provides  In 2017, the NENC Food Pantry served approximately 300 residents per month. 
1.  Food pantry hours are Tuesday 9 – 11am, 2-4 pm, Wednesday 2-4 pm, and Friday 2-4pm.  These hours have been the norm for over 20 years.
2.  The pantry is operated with 100% volunteers.
3.  Local and regional churches provide a significant amount of donations and volunteer support.

A Gathering Place
The Firehouse is also the location for two monthly meetings of the NENC. These meetings provide a forum for discussions centered on neighborhood events, services and activities. The Firehouse serves as the neighborhood polling place and a location for information sessions for neighborhood safety. The Firehouse also serves as a meeting spot for organizations and businesses to share new plans and programs with residents. In addition, residents are able to rent the building with little charge to host events and family gatherings.