With the Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church’s congregation dwindling, church leaders put the building up for sale, but found no other congregations interested in buying it.

On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council voted 7-0 to approve an alternative arrangement — a “historic use” variance that will allow the church to be converted into a multipurpose commercial structure.

The buyer, Stillwater-based construction company owner Mohammed Thabet, plans to install a day care, an event center and a single apartment.

Thabet’s proposal does not include any changes to the distinctive stone exterior of the sizable structure at 217 N. Mackubin St., which sits on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1888, the church served as a community gathering space for most of the history of St. Paul and the Summit-University neighborhood.

The goal of historic use variances is to preserve historic structures by finding responsible buyers who can maintain their upkeep through new commercial uses, such as breweries, museums and performance spaces.

Nevertheless, the proposal drew opposition from the Ramsey Hill Association and a series of neighbors opposed to the prospect of a new banquet hall or event center in a largely residential corner of the historic district.

The city designated the building as a local historic structure in 1980. It’s listed as a contributing structure in the Historic Hill Heritage Preservation District, and it’s noted for being the largest of four churches in the area designed by renowned St. Paul architect Cass Gilbert.

“We, who live in this neighborhood, oppose a banquet hall use for the obvious parking, congestion, noise, trash issues that come from venues like banquet halls,” said Summit Avenue residents Lois and Bill Stevens, in an email to the council.

City officials noted the buyer’s proposal was vetted by a series of neighborhood and municipal committees, including the city’s official historic preservation committee. Related Articles St. Paul City Council approves $600,000 charge for downtown improvement district

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“This has been approved by the Heritage Preservation Commission, the Planning Commission, the Zoning Committee, and the Summit-University planning committee,” said Council Member Dai Thao, who represents the neighborhood.

Council President Amy Brendmoen agreed.

“It’s a huge structure, and it’s incredible to have somebody like Mr. Thabet to come in who has to resources to maintain it,” she said. “I think it’s a gift to the community, as well.”