Leveraging history to support important community services at a Minneapolis church.​

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CHALLENGE

Designed by renowned architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray in the early twentieth century, the Church of the Incarnation has been an icon in its South Minneapolis neighborhood for over 100 years. By 2019, the century-old church building and rectory were in need of maintenance and improvements to serve the parish’s large and diverse congregation and to expand its critical food distribution services.

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SUCCESS

Through archival research and on-site assessment, New History demonstrated the church’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, positioning the church complex for National Register listing and its associated benefits. In addition to recognizing the buildings’ architectural significance, National Register listing can open doors to grants to fund physical improvements to the site. Additionally, New History is navigating required city preservation approvals for exterior improvements that will allow this historic church to meet twenty-first-century needs, including accessibility and increased food shelf services.