When it comes to finding the perfect venue for your next event, you might want to head to church. Day Edwards and Emmanuel Brown, the co-founders of the innovative online platform ChurchSpace, are on a mission to change the way we view and utilize houses of worship, transforming them into affordable, vibrant event and community spaces.
ChurchSpace’s concept is a game-changer in the world of event planning. By combining the underutilized spaces of near-empty churches with an Airbnb-style business model, they’ve created an
innovative online portal set to disrupt the small event marketplace. Founded in 2019, ChurchSpace has been gaining momentum, and its recent expansion into the Dallas market and the unveiling of a revamped website mark a significant milestone in its journey.“ChurchSpace is a mission-driven marketplace that empowers churches to breathe new life into their spaces. We’re all about creating opportunities for community engagement, collaboration, and growth,” Brown said. “Our platform enables churches to unlock the potential of their underutilized spaces while also providing food entrepreneurs, event organizers, and community members access to unique venues.”
Edwards and Brown, both children of pastors, witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by church leaders in maintaining their congregations and serving their communities. This personal experience laid the foundation for ChurchSpace. The goal is to create a revenue stream for the churches while remaining in compliance for nonprofit organizations.
“Churches offer a unique combination of diverse spaces and widespread availability, making them ideal for various community uses,” said Edwards. “From fellowship halls to gymnasiums and auditorium-style seating, churches provide an unusual blend of spaces under one roof. Expanding into Dallas represents a natural progression of our company.”
Since its founding four years ago, ChurchSpace has garnered the attention and support of tech giants such as Google and Amazon. Google awarded ChurchSpace $100,000, mentorship, and programming support as part of its Black Founders Fund program. Amazon selected ChurchSpace for its inaugural AWS Impact Accelerator for Black Founders initiative. The business has also attracted several investors and is poised to expand into additional markets in 2024.
So the next time you’re looking for a venue to host your women’s summit, fraternity conference, baby shower, or any number of other events, you may only have to look as far as your local house of worship.
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