catalyst community partners

In less than five months, Catalyst and its team of designers, contractors and supporters transformed the century-old Garden of Gethsemane Church in Cottage Park in the Jordan neighborhood from its dilapidated state into a fantastic worship center and important community icon and gathering space.

54% of all project hours worked were performed by minority contractors and the project earned a 2008 Twin Cities Business Journal’s Best in Real Estate award (interior renovation category).

The arts and crafts church lay vacant for decades and stood with gaping holes in the roof, ceiling and floors. In 2003, the Church of Gethsemane congregation, founded by Liberian immigrants and Reverend Randolph Cooper, purchased the structure with the hope it could be fully restored.

Welsh Construction was selected contractor and their design division, Genesis Architecture, donated its services. The Ackerberg Group as developer assembled a blue ribbon team of engineers and designers, all willing to donate services. It was a labor of love for all involved; specialists required little or no persuasion to provide consulting at no cost.

Church congregants, Reverend Cooper and his wife Trudy were all active participants in the design process, making decisions and attending weekly construction meetings. After pushing to complete the renovation in time for Christmas, the congregation worshiped for the first time in its own sanctuary.

Read more about the grand opening that was celebrated on January 11, 2009.

Ownership
Garden of Gethsemane Ministries

Developer
The Ackerberg Group
(on behalf of Catalyst Community Partners) www.ackerberg.com

Architect
Genesis Architecture | www.welshco.com/genesis

Contractor
Welsh Construction | www.welshco.com/construction

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