Old church finds new purpose as St. John’s Lutheran Church converts to affordable housing

St. John’s Lutheran Church, one of Madison’s oldest churches, is getting ready to tear down its current space and build a 10-story, 130-unit affordable apartment building. Real estate experts said the church is part of a wider trend of religious groups turning their underused property into housing to help combat a nationwide shortage.

The church is working with Mark Binkwoski, principal of MRB Holdings, LLC, and Janesville-based J.P. Cullen to demolish the church and create a mixed-use structure 310-322 E. Washington Ave. The plan includes 108 units for people making between 30-60% of the Dane County median income. When completed, the building will have 10,000 square feet of space on the first floor for the church congregation.

Construction will cost around $35.8 million, according to developers in an application to the city of Madison’s Affordable Housing Fund. The developer asked the city to give $3.5 million to support the project. St. John’s will get financing help from Dane County and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) as well....
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