In partnership with students in the University of Kentucky School of Architecture, the Nehemiah Project explored how each participating Kentucky congregation can maintain its historic character while renovating spaces, re-imaging possibilities for leveraging assets, enhancing connections with the community, and addressing programmatic needs.
The University of Kentucky Students listened to the goals and needs from congregations then developed presentations for each church with a detailed site analysis, concept diagrams, and multiphase renovation plans. Click here to see more of the work done by the University of Kentucky Students. The Nehemiah Project also secured inspections and appraisals of property for each church and further guidance in seeking community fundraising partnerships to implement changes.
The partnership with students from the University of Kentucky, showcases just one of the many projects we were able to participate in and implement thanks to the Lilly Endowment's Thriving Congregation Initiative to work on strengthening historic Black congregations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.