photo of church group placemaking project
photo of church group placemaking project

Placemaking

in Action

Real stories of churches transforming their property to serve their neighbors, create jobs, and secure their financial future.

photo of haw creek commons adaptive reuse case study

Haw Creek Commons

A shrinking congregation with 13 members on the rolls and a large facility in a neighborhood of 9,000 people underwent a complete adaptive reuse project. This transformed the sanctuary and classrooms into a coworking hub, a retreat center, and a commercial kitchen.


The Impact

  • $13,500 in Monthly Recurring Revenue

  • 80-100 local jobs supported through the kitchen and coworking spaces

  • 25+ Kitchen Members (food trucks and caterers) using the facility

  • Therapy Center: Pivoted during COVID to house 10 mental health therapists

Read Full Case Study

Mountain City Public Montessori

A 46-year-old education wing sat empty after a weekday preschool closed. Simultaneously, a diverse public charter school was losing its lease. The church utilized endowment funds to retrofit the building, signing a 5-year lease that pays back the fund with interest.


The Impact

  • 172 Students housed daily in the church facility.

  • 100% Equity retained by the church.

  • Long-Term Revenue: After the 5-year payback, lease income flows directly to the church operating budget.

  • Equity in Education: Enabled a free public charter school to stay downtown, serving a diverse student body.

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photo of elementary school adaptive reuse placemaking case study
photo of childcare adaptive reuse case study

Wilkesboro Child Development Center

Wilkes County was a "childcare desert," having lost nearly 60% of its childcare facilities since 2020 and the last 5-star daycare was about to lose its building. The church renovated a storage-filled Christian Education wing raised $600,000 rapidly to cover construction costs.


The Impact

  • 80 Childcare Slots preserved for local families.

  • 20-25 Jobs housed within the church.

  • $2M - $4M Estimated annual economic impact for the county.

  • $30k - $40k Annual rental income for the church.

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Salisbury Offices & Affordable Housing

A church with 3 acres of empty land and unused classrooms was situated in a city where teachers could not afford to live. We started multi-phase strategy that activated empty classrooms for non-profit office space and are currently developing a "Teacher Village" for workforce housing.


The Impact

  • Immediate Revenue: Rental income from non-profits will pay back renovation costs in 3-5 years.

  • Asset Activation: 5 previously empty classrooms are now fully leased.

  • Future Growth: 3 acres of land designated for affordable teacher housing.

Read Full Case Study

photo of affordable housing adaptive reuse church placemaking project

Haw Creek Commons

A church with a large facility in a neighborhood of 9,000 people underwent a complete adaptive reuse project to transform the building for coworking, events, and a commercial kitchen.

This created $13,500 in Monthly Recurring Revenue for the church while supporting 80-100 local jobs.

Read Full Case Study

Wilkesboro Child Development Center

Wilkes County was a childcare desert and the last 5-star daycare was losing its building. The church renovated an education wing and raised $600,000 for construction.


$2M - $4M est. economic impact for the county and $30k+ annual rental income for the church

Read Full Case Study

Mountain City Public Montessori

A diverse public charter school was losing its lease so the church utilized endowment funds to retrofit an old building.

This preserved unique educational access for 172 Students with the school repaying the church back in five years with 100% equity retained by the church.

Read Full Case Study

Milford Hills UMC

A church with 3 acres of empty land was in a city where teachers could not afford to live so we are currently developing a "Teacher Village" for workforce housing.

Five previously empty classrooms are now fully leased and 3 acres of land designated for affordable teacher housing.

Read Full Case Study

Haw Creek Commons

A small church with a large facility in a neighborhood of 9,000 people underwent a complete adaptive reuse project. This transformed the building into a coworking hub, a retreat center, and a commercial kitchen.


This created $13,500 in Monthly Recurring Revenue for the church while supporting 80-100 local jobs.

Read Full Case Study

Wilkesboro Child Development Center

Wilkes County was a "childcare desert," and the last 5-star daycare was about to lose its building. The church renovated an education wing and raised $600,000 for construction.


This created $2M - $4M est. annual economic impact for the county with $30k+ annual rental income for the church.

Read Full Case Study

Mountain City Public Montessori

A diverse public charter school was losing its lease so the church utilized endowment funds to retrofit an old building.


This preserved unique educational access for 172 Students with the school repaying the church back in five years with 100% equity retained by the church.

Read Full Case Study

Milford Hills UMC

A church with 3 acres of empty land was in a city where teachers could not afford to live so we are currently developing a "Teacher Village" for workforce housing.


Five previously empty classrooms are now fully leased and 3 acres of land designated for affordable teacher housing.

Read Full Case Study

New Chapter Ventures has unlocked millions in economic development for communities while creating jobs, building affordable housing, and creating financial stability for churches.

Financial Sustainability
Churches are generating significant monthly revenue to cover maintenance and fund ministry

Financial Sustainability
Churches are generating significant monthly revenue to cover maintenance and fund ministry

Economic Engine
Our projects drive millions of dollars in local economic impact annually across the region

Economic Engine
Our projects drive millions of dollars in local economic impact annually across the region

The Proven Process
Of the nine participants in the previous Placemaking cohort, eight are currently working toward activating projects with their communities

The Proven Process
Of the nine participants in the previous Placemaking cohort, eight are currently working toward activating projects with their communities

New Chapter provides end-to-end support for our adaptive reuse partners

from curiosity to community impact

New Chapter provides end-to-end support for our adaptive reuse partners

from curiosity to community impact

New Chapter provides end-to-end support for our adaptive reuse partners

from curiosity to community impact

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Hero BG

Placemaking in

Action

Real stories of churches transforming their property to serve their neighbors, create jobs, and secure their financial future.

photo of church small group for adaptive reuse

Here's how others are writing their

New Chapter

Every church has assets that can support their local community. Our team of experts will work with you through the entire process to realize your unique vision.

photo of church small group for adaptive reuse

Here's how others are writing their

New Chapter

Every church has assets that can support their local community. Our team of experts will work with you through the entire process to realize your unique vision.

photo of church small group for adaptive reuse

Here's how others are writing their

New Chapter

Every church has assets that can support their local community. Our team of experts will work with you through the entire process to realize your unique vision.