New MOLO Village TOO! Phase Builds on Legacy of Transformation in Louisville’s Russell Neighborhood

Thanks to the vision of its president and CEO, the Rev. Dr. Jamesetta Ferguson—plus the planning and hard work of many organizations and community members and the belief of church members—the newest project of MOLO Village CDC in Louisville, Ky., is under construction.

The Village TOO! includes the renovation of St. Peter’s UCC, located adjacent to the original “Village @ West Jefferson” MOLO Village complex.

An idea that grew out of Ferguson’s vision and leadership as pastor of St. Peter’s, the first phase of the new project—the outer restoration of the historic church building—recently was completed, and now the interior work will commence.

The journey to the exterior renovation’s completion has been multi-layered and extensive. With the assistance of Tower Pinkster Architect and Engineering Firm (the same architect that worked on the original MOLO Village @ West Jefferson), Ferguson and her team navigated “historical Phase I environmental assessments, multi-agency compliance forms, and state inspection contracts to ensure the historic site was safely remediated,” she said. “Conceptual architectural engineering and structural assessments—including analyzing load-bearing wood framing to safely support the original church steeple—occupied a massive chunk of the pre-construction phase.”

A May 2026 press conference marked the end of the historic church’s exterior restoration, which officially wrapped up in March. The press conference invited community members to celebrate the milestone and also tour the inside of the building view the work still to be done.

The next phase is “designed as a vibrant hub specifically tailored for multiple activities,” said Ferguson. “There will be a worship space for the St. Peter’s faith community along with space for MOLO programming, independent food vendors, local entrepreneurs, and artisans. The space will directly interface with the original Village @ West Jefferson complex to expand its footprint of neighborhood revitalization.”

Due to mold and other structural issues in St. Peter’s, the congregation moved one mile down the road in June 2014. “This allowed the church to continue to do the ministry and mission in the Russell community,” Ferguson said. “Our displacement was necessary because of the sheer scale of transforming a historic, vulnerable footprint into a modern, code-compliant campus. The exterior was just phase one.”

Rather than treating the interior renovations and The Village TOO! rollout as two separate projects, the two are part of a coordinated master plan. 

“Interior work is moving into its active staging phases, and the exciting news is that the congregation is actively preparing to return to its historic home at 1225 West Jefferson Street,” Ferguson added. “Occupancy is designed to happen in strategic, safe stages so the church can inhabit its space even before every single square inch of the wider community hub finishes construction.”

Ferguson reflected on the impact of the restoration of St. Peter’s on its congregation. “This restoration is more than just fixing brick and mortar; it is spiritual vindication,” she said. “Returning to a stabilized, beautifully restored historic home ensures that the legacy of St. Peter’s remains anchored exactly where it belongs, providing a modernized, safe, and inspiring space for worship and fellowship.”

The comprehensive project timeline, including full interior transformations, is tracking toward a final project completion goal of 2027, contingent on finalizing the remaining layers of funding. An eventual third phase will include additional buildings to enhance the services provided to the community. 

The impact of the new phase on MOLO Village and, particularly, the local Russell community, cannot be overstated. “This project is a physical manifestation of neighborhood equity and infrastructure investment,” said Ferguson. “By transforming a historic asset into a multi-use hub, it creates a direct economic runway for local independent entrepreneurs, food vendors, and artisans often locked out of traditional commercial real estate.”

MOLO Village and its Village missional partners already serve some 15,000 people in the Russell neighborhood. The Village TOO! addition will increase the services provided, allowing MOLO Village to fill service gaps that will help its neighbors prosper.

The re-visioned space “beautifully blends the preservation of Russell’s deep history with a sustainable economic future, proving that community development block grants and local persistence can turn vulnerable structures into engines for neighborhood revitalization,” Ferguson added.

Ever the pastor, Ferguson turned her thoughts back to her local congregation’s impact on the community. “Ultimately, [MOLO Village] serves as a powerful testament to how a small church, through an unconventional vision for ministry and mission, can reveal the transformative power of God at work in the community.”