HUMBOLDT — Be bold.
Be bold in your thinking. Be bold with your ideas and your vision. Be bold with projects.
That’s the idea behind A Bolder Humboldt, a development group led by the Joe and Janie Works family.
The latest project may be one of the boldest yet: Turn a former church into a music venue that hosts national touring artists as well as regional performers of all genres.
Then, add a music educational component, bringing musicians, lessons and opportunities from around the world, both in person and virtually.
It’s called “Revival Music Hall,” a name that capitalizes on both the history of the church as well as the resurging business development in Humboldt.
The music venue is currently under construction at the former Presbyterian Church at 10th and Bridge streets.
In 2006, the building was established as the Confraternity of Our Lady Peace House of Prayer, run by a controversial Irish woman who claimed to be a prophet who saw visions and had stigmata. It closed a few years later and was eventually purchased by the Works family, along with the Bailey Hotel building.
Tony Works, son of Joe and Janie, is overseeing the Revival Music Hall project on behalf of A Bolder Humboldt. Damaris Kunkler, community engagement director for the group, is the project manager.
“The project saves a beautiful historic building that would be tragic to allow it to deteriorate,” Works said. “It will bring the joy of live music to our community, and expose visitors to what’s happening here. It’s definitely a shoot-for-the-stars attempt at creating a unique destination.”
Music venue
Construction began about a year ago, but has been slowed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shipments of material and equipment were delayed. Construction crews were busy with other projects.
Still, it’s shaping up. Kunkler hopes the music venue will be open by the end of the year. 
The first priority was to preserve the structure of the building, through tuck pointing and foundation work.
“It’s always in the front of our mind to preserve the historical integrity and do as little altering as possible,” Kunkler said.
