In the summer of 2004, Homeretta Ayala, a church musician in Baltimore, Maryland, learned that the congregation of Danville's First Christian Church, a fixture on Jefferson Avenue for more than 90 years, was disbanding and offering for sale their striking High Victorian Gothic style church. The image that first caught the eye of this organist for Baltimore's venerable Mt. Vernon Place Church was not the picture of First Christian's 125-year-old brick-and-stucco edifice, but of its century-old pipe organ. After inspecting the facility, "Homer," as she likes to be called, and her husband Joseph—who also is a church musician—were hooked . . . on the organ. So, in September of last year they bought the organ and, of course, the building that came with it.

Within months, Homer and Joe Ayala worked quickly to adapt the church as an innovative concert hall, Sacred Spaces, in addition to creating a handsome apartment in the rear. Currently, they also are renovating the fellowship hall to host
banquets, weddings and other functions beginning early next year. The building is secured with a new roof and updated infrastructure of wiring, heat, and air conditioning. Ironically too, the origins of the building as a Presbyterian church some 125 years ago now have come full circle, as the Ayalas also lease the building for Sunday worship to Christ Presbyterian Church, one of the city's newer congregations.

As Sacred Spaces, the sanctuary has experienced a "revival" of sorts with the initial refurbishing of the 1899-1900 Moller organ—Danville's oldest in its original site (and second-oldest Moller in its original setting anywhere). It will resound during the afternoon tour, accompanying hymn sings at 2 and 4 p.m., and as part of a 7 p.m. concert Sunday evening. That concert is free to tour-ticket holders.