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Calgary’s iconic Knox United Church had reached across the pond for help in its “reimagining” of the historic downtown building.

But Father Andrew Foreshew-Cain, the founder of The Sanctuary Cafe at St. James Church in West Hamstead, London, considers himself more a cheerleader than consultant for the Calgary project.

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Knox is undergoing a three-year makeover, which will see its location transformed to include a cafe in its sanctuary, a co-working space, and a community kitchen and bakery.

Minister Greg Glatz said Sunday the project will be similar to what Foreshew-Cain did in London.

“Father Andrew is really a person that takes it out of the hypothetical for us,” Glatz said.

“It’s really helpful to have someone who’s done it.”

Glatz said the renovations are an attempt to make the church more user friendly with the diverse community of Calgarians who live in the core.

“I do think we’ll bring more people into the church community, but only because we’re caring about the people around us,” he said.