In St. Louis, two congregations—one Jewish, one Christian—came together under one roof for prayer, reflection, and community during a unique period in their histories.

They shared a space that became more than just a building.

“Both of our congregations gravitated toward one another, and there was an outpouring of affection and appreciation and ‘how can we learn from you?’” said Rusty Maple, pastor of The Journey.

When Kol Rinah opened its doors in 1953, it was one of several large synagogues in the heart of one of St. Louis’ most vibrant Jewish neighborhoods. Over time, the congregation faced declining membership and the challenges of maintaining an aging building.

The Journey, by contrast, was a newer, fast-growing, nondenominational Christian church with multiple locations across St. Louis and southern Illinois.

The two congregations had been located just blocks apart on the same street.

While Kol Rinah was looking to downsize, The Journey was seeking a location closer to communities north of the Delmar Divide. The two ultimately decided to swap spaces.

“There’s been a long history of churches buying synagogues and using them as churches,” said Rabbi Noah Arnow of Kol Rinah. “And synagogues also using churches, because the spaces are often interchangeable.”

However, their transition timelines didn’t align. Renovations for The Journey’s new space could be completed quickly, while Kol Rinah’s new location required more extensive work, including the construction of a new sanctuary. The solution was a shared arrangement, with The Journey welcoming Kol Rinah to remain and worship in the same building during the transition.

“After getting to know a lot more people from Kol Rinah, both communities wanted to make this work in a really positive way, and we started to feel like family,” said Alison Funke, a member of The Journey.

Sharing one building brought logistical challenges, but also emotional ones. For Kol Rinah members, transforming a synagogue into a church meant saying goodbye to sacred elements, including the ark that held the Torah and the stained glass that surrounded it.

“Change is hard,” Rabbi Arnow said. “Even when we realize that change is necessary, it still hurts.”

“I think it’s natural for people to resist change, especially when they have such long traditions,” said Kol Rinah member Gary Kodner. “But if we look at history, we’ve done this before in order to survive.”

Through it all, the two congregations not only adapted, but found strength in one another—building relationships grounded in understanding, respect, and shared values.

“We tried to lead with love, and with that came understanding and grace,” Funke said. “And we learned from one another along the way.”

Kol Rinah ultimately completed its move to a new location just up the street, settling into a growing and vibrant part of the region.

While the two congregations returned to separate spaces, the experience of sharing one home created a lasting bond—bringing them closer in ways that distance could not undo.