In March 1966, a generous member of Park Street Church gifted her townhouse at 386 Marlborough Street to create a haven for international students. Inspired by this opportunity, Robin Marvin and Willard “Butch” Dickerson rallied friends to form International Fellowship House, Inc. Park Street leased—and later sold—the Back Bay home to the fledgling nonprofit.
By late summer 1966, the house had been cleaned out, painted, furnished with donated goods, and stocked at wholesale cost. Henry Baay, the first resident manager, a cook, and eight students moved in. As the months passed, donations supported further renovations and staffing. By summer 1967, with fifteen residents and growing occupancy, IFH was nearing break-even.
Stable leadership arrived in 1967 when Dale and Arlene Schaeffer became resident managers, bringing the house to full capacity (eighteen students) by fall 1968. Since then, IFH has operated financially self-sufficiently, steadily improving the house each year.
Over its more than half-century history, the House has hosted over 1,000 international scholars and students from dozens of countries, all under the care and guidance of a dedicated board and successive resident-manager couples, who worked faithfully to share the love of Jesus through Gospel-motivated hospitality.
Today, IFH continues that legacy: rooted in Christian hospitality, governed by passionate volunteers and board members, and run by resident managers committed to nurturing global friends among the historic Back Bay.