Patience and perseverance are paying off in effort to save historic church
There is good news for those in support of preserving Old St. Hubert’s Church, Chanhassen’s most significant historic landmark.
After two and a half months of conversations, the Save Old St. Hubert (SOS) Committee and St. Hubert’s Parish signed a Letter of Understanding for the future of the old church. This agreement clarifies how the historic building may be used and managed if renovation efforts are successful.
As part of the agreement, the building would be open to Christian congregations across the community. It would also allow for the possibility of expanding use of the space in the future.
With the agreement signed, the SOS Committee is moving forward with a feasibility study to determine if the necessary funds can be raised.
This next step will involve conversations with potential large donors to identify $1.5 million in pledges for renovation by November 8th. If this step is successful, the committee will then have 12 months to raise an additional $1 million for an endowment to cover ongoing expenses.
These developments build on a months-long effort to continue the conversation about Old St. Hubert after the parish announced in January that they would not be restoring the church. The SOS Committee was formed to explore alternatives to demolition and seek community input.
This past spring, the committee successfully raised $29,000 to fund the feasibility study that is now in progress. The committee also organized a community meeting in June to hear from the public, and nearly 100 people came out to show support and share their thoughts.
There is still a long road ahead, but the patience and perseverance of this community is proving that saving this piece of our town’s history is still possible. Thank you.
Follow the SOS Save Old St. Hubert Church page on Facebook for the latest updates.
