Historic Lexington Church to undergo renovation, build affordable senior housing
Damaged windows and empty classrooms punctuated the crumbling ceiling. Worship services moved to the basement. Rev. Christy Jo Harber feared the church may have to sell the building it has called home since 1925.
She asked Rev. Donald K. Gillett II, the regional minister of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 'Can these bones live?'
He answered Thursday, that through 'the goodness, the grace and the mercy of God,' life will continue in the halls of the building.
In partnership with local developer Winterwood Inc., the church broke ground Thursday on a renovation project that will preserve its historic building and meet a housing need in the community.
The church will build 38 affordable housing units for seniors aged 55 and older who make less than 60% of the area's median income -- or $45,720 for a family of two. It also will restore the sanctuary.
'Many churches today face challenges with underutilized buildings and the financial burden of maintaining. We believe our partnership with Winterwood is more than innovative – it's unique,' said church elder Gary Barksdale.
'This project can become a model for other congregations seeking to address the growing need for affordable housing while remaining an active faith community.'
Unused classrooms and offices in the back of the church will be converted into eight apartments, and a new building constructed on the grassy lot next door will have 30 apartments.
Zach Worsham, vice president of Winterwood, said he expects people to be moving into the units, called The Oaks at Woodland, in the first quarter of 2026.
Worsham said it took awhile to finalize the funding for the project, which is estimated to cost $13 million.
The developers secured a Low Income Housing Tax Credit and a Historic Preservation Tax Credit for the program. The Low Income Housing Tax Credit is a federal program, but funds are disseminated from the Kentucky Housing Corporation.
'We at (Kentucky Housing Corporation) have been talking a lot lately about the housing supply gap across Kentucky. We need over 200,000 more homes,' said Justin Long, a project specialist with the Kentucky Housing Corporation.
'We need them today. Fayette County is not immune. This region needs over 22,000 units.'
They invested $646,000 in tax credits for the apartments. Those tax credits can be sold to investors who then put up equity.
WNC associates, an affordable housing real estate firm, purchased the Woodland Church tax credits, and then allocated some to CVS, the drugstore. WNC associates put up $6.9 million in equity for the constriction of the affordable housing units.
The city of Lexington allocated $3.2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, or coronavirus relief money, to the project, and $1 million from the local affordable housing fund. Mayor Linda Gorton said the construction will meet a pressing need in the city because 25% of Lexington's population is 55 or older.
Fundraising is not done yet.
Harber asked the community to make donations to improve the renovation efforts of the sanctuary. She said if the church can raise $200,000, the church could purchase equipment to make the building a performing arts venue.
'Lexington has known for many years now that an art filled community is a healthy community – with restored venues like the Lyric and Kentucky theaters offering vibrant expressions of art that heal and strengthen its audience,' she said.
'We believe that if our sanctuary were equipped as a performing arts space, it could further nurture the arts in our beautiful city.'
The money raised would help the church buy lighting, audio and video equipment, Harber said.
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