On Summit Avenue, a century-old church will host a music school and performing arts center.

The St. Paul City Council voted 5-0 on Wednesday to approve a “historic use” variance for the “Church on the Hill” at 1524 Summit Ave. Council Members Jane Prince and Dai Thao were absent from the vote.

The variance was created by the council a few years ago to help preserve historic properties in residential neighborhoods by allowing new commercial uses.

St. Paul developer John Rupp has worked with the St. Paul Conservatory of Music to establish the Summit Center for Arts and Innovation, through which the school and other users would be able to host performances.

The early-19th century Episcopal Church was sold in 2016 after a previous congregation dwindled. Cities Church, an evangelical congregation, has met in the space weekly since April, drawing some 400 worshippers.