Cynthia Faust and Vivianne Booze presented the Allentown Rescue Mission with two original paintings in honor of their father, Frank K. Roberts. Mr. Roberts lived in the Lehigh Valley most of his life, and in 1946, moved his family to Gordon Street in Allentown. There, Frank started a painting and wallpaper hanging business. And the Allentown Rescue Mission hired his company to paint its building.
While painting the homeless shelter, a relationship developed between the Allentown Rescue Mission and Mr. Roberts. Frank, a devout Christian and someone who loved to sing and play the piano, began to play during the Saturday night church services at the Allentown Rescue Mission. The services became a family event for the Roberts’. Frank brought his children, and even a granddaughter, to the Allentown Rescue Mission to sing alongside him.
Additionally, Frank enjoyed fine art. He developed an eye for oil painting and painted many pieces throughout his lifetime. Unfortunately, a fire in Emmaus destroyed most of his life’s work. However, two paintings remained in the family; “Jesus in the Garden” and “Christ Knocking at the Door”. For over fifty years, Cindy and her sister Vivianne kept and protected their father’s work.
As they grew older, Cindy and Vivianne were concerned about what would happen to the beloved paintings. The more the sisters thought about their father’s legacy, the more they were convinced the Allentown Rescue Mission was the only choice for his paintings. They hope the pieces will continue to bless men at a place that meant so much to their father. “We hope that through his artistry, his ministry can live on. We know he would be thrilled with our decision”, commented Cindy.
The Allentown Rescue Mission was extremely honored to accept the Roberts family paintings. The paintings hang lovingly in the second and third-floor dormitories that house men of the Transformation Program and Clean Team Workforce. They are a beautiful reminder of God’s love for homeless men trying to change their lives.
