415 Collective Update

The 415 Collective continues to make progress in their work and plans to renovate and reuse 415 Walnut St, the previous home to Walnut St. and Faith Temple Baptist Churches.  The 1908 iconic landmark has been vacant since 2010, and the 415 Collective formed in 2020, when interested citizens began to dream together to save and repurpose this historically significant church.

Periodically, the 415 Collective hosts community brunches to connect over conversation and great food, and to share updates with those present.

At the December 3rd brunch, community members were invited to share a memory they had of the Waterloo community, to offer dreams they have for the 415 Walnut space, to hear about current priorities in grant writing for the renovation of the building, and to eat great food catered by Dominque’s Seafood.  Some of the highest priorities for the renovation is to get a new roof, work on restoration of the stain glass windows, and to fund positions that will help the process continue forward (grant writer, project manager).

A big thank you to First Presbyterian Church, an active church partner and presence in the neighborhood, for hosting the brunches.  Also, thank you to the University of Northern Iowa Women’s Softball Team for helping to set up, serve, and clean up at the brunch.  Thanks to Matthew Gilbert for his ongoing commitment to a community-owned process, and to Dominque for sharing her gift of exquisitely delicious food.  And finally, thank you to those who attended and who continue to offer their voice and support to both preserving historic buildings and creating something new and marvelous together for the community.