© 2025 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Happiness and Resilience: A panel discussion with Boise State Public Radio Jan. 21

A historic church in Boise's North End gets a new beginning

Jon Swarthout teaching the Maypole Dance on May 1st 2022.
Daniel Olson
Jon Swarthout teaching the Maypole Dance on May 1, 2022.

A landmark church in Boise’s North End is getting a second chance at life.

The Immanuel Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1907. After the 1970’s though the church was sold and fell into disrepair, eventually ending up on Idaho's “Top 10 most endangered” historic sites list.

Here's where the building's Cinderella story begins. After years of neglect the Treasure Valley Institute for Children's Arts bought the property and began renovating it, all with the intention of turning it into a children's art school.

Idaho Matters sits down with TRICA CEO Jon Swarthout and Kay Hummel, the great-granddaughter of the church's original chief architect, to talk more about the renovation.

Stay Connected
Hi, my name is Hannah and I’m the assistant producer for the Idaho Matters show here at BSPR. If you have a suggestion for an Idaho Matters segment, please email idahomatters@boisestate.edu.

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.