For many, the act of listening to or performing music is often described as something sacred. In many religions around the world, foundational sacred texts and stories feature music as a recurring theme, and music has become an engaging way of expressing prayers in worship services. The natural connection between worship and music has grown over time as sacred sites have doubled as rehearsal and performance spaces which welcome broader audiences and foster cultural enrichment.

In histories of sacred sites, many congregations proudly celebrate the well-known musicians who performed on site, the successes of acclaimed musicians who started in religious choirs, and the role of members in founding significant music organizations. That continues today, as sacred sites are becoming ideal spaces for a growing number of professional and community-based music groups. These sites often share space with youth music camps, volunteer choirs, experimental music troupes, or music education classes at reduced rates or free of charge, making music more accessible to everyone.

The three examples below illustrate how, through creative thinking about space sharing and strong preservation stewardship, historic houses of worship can generate access to music for communities. They also show how music programming helps ensure the survival of historic houses of worship by bringing in more people and revenue.

Support from the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation—which offers funding and technical assistance towards preserving community-serving historic houses of worship—will help these sites continue uplifting their communities through music.

Christ Church Detroit (Detroit, Michigan)

The crowning musical achievement of Christ Church is hosting an opera company within its walls. Founded by Danielle Wright, Opera MODO is dedicated to “creating opportunities for young and emerging artists,” to producing more inclusive versions of classic and contemporary operas, and to introducing new audiences to opera. For example, Opera MODO performed a video game-inspired adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute and developed D[x]n Pasquale, a new LGBTQ+ opera centered on a young, nonbinary artist. Opera MODO also supports underrepresented performers through a resident artist program which provides training, financial support, and performance opportunities.

Wright commented that “being in residence at Christ Church Detroit has been the backbone of Opera MODO existing in Detroit. CCD makes it possible for MODO to thrive!” Through National Fund-supported work, including stabilization, waterproofing, and soundproofing of the fellowship hall, representatives of Christ Church hopes to further “develop as a haven for the arts in the heart of Detroit.”

Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

Designed in 1956 along Route 66 by noted architect John Gaw Meem, Immanuel Presbyterian Church is now transforming into a “sacred place and a civic space focused on the performing arts” and a “first-rate concert and performance venue for the entire community.” Immanuel has hosted concerts in its sanctuary for decades, welcoming groups such as the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus and the University of New Mexico’s Orchestra Program. A new, long-term partnership with the New Mexico Philharmonic has the potential to serve as a model for space sharing at sacred places nationwide.

Since its founding in 1932, the New Mexico Philharmonic has never owned or had first access to performance venues. The Philharmonic met wherever they found space, often in small churches or concert halls, but has struggled in recent years to find meeting space due to venues’ COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021, the Philharmonic connected with Immanuel about using the sanctuary on a regular basis as an office, storage, rehearsal, and performance space.

Musicians in the Philharmonic and thousands of audience members quickly took to Immanuel’s sanctuary, which Maureen Baca, president of the Philharmonic’s Board of Directors, described as a “treasure for our community.” Robert Minczuk, music director of the Philharmonic and a Grammy Award-winning artist, even declared Immanuel as “one of [his] favorite places to conduct in the world” due to its acoustics, which reportedly rival European concert halls.

The Philharmonic will now make Immanuel’s sanctuary its first permanent home, while the small congregation will conduct worship in the building’s original sanctuary, which is more suited to its needs. Immanuel and the Philharmonic will work together to repair the sanctuary with grant and technical assistance support from the National Fund, and will co-steward the church in the future.

Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church (Brooklyn, New York)

The Inspirational Ensemble, directed by jazz and blues singer Janis Russell, is a multicultural and multi-generational gospel choir that transcends “gospel stereotypes.” In 2022, the group performed at the unveiling of the first National Votes for Women Trail historical plaque in New York City, celebrating the achievements of Black women suffragists in Brooklyn.