Emmanuel Brown and Day Edwards
Emmanuel Brown and Day Edwards
ChurchSpace
Detroit, Michigan
Growing up in homes where Sunday service and property upkeep went hand in hand, Emmanuel Brown and Day Edwards learned early that church real estate often carried both spiritual significance and financial strain. These firsthand experiences—as pastor’s kids—planted a seed: what if these hallowed spaces could serve more than weekly worship?
Their answer came in 2019 with ChurchSpace, dubbed “Airbnb for churches” by the Washington Post. The platform allows congregations to list underused venues—from fellowship halls to commercial kitchens—so that churches can become vibrant community hubs and earn income through rentals .
“The average church building sits empty about 69% of the week” explains Brown. “And… one in three pastors consider leaving the ministry due to the financial strain.” Most churches don’t have the capacity to manage logistics like pricing, insurance and cleaning – and to get the word out. ChurchSpace fills that gap and equips churches with tool and support to to tap new revenue streams and serve their neighborhoods more effectively.
ChurchSpace is an online hub designed to empower both church leaders and space seeking folks alike with the goal of transforming underutilized church spaces into dynamic community hubs that benefit everyone. Churches can list available space on the website, including event space, kitchens, storage space, office spaces, kid’s playrooms, gyms and recreational spaces. The space can be rented hourly or by the day, offering the community useful, affordable options and providing churches with a steady stream of income.
As their vision has grown, so has their impact. Launched in 2019, churches that participated in the pilot program typically earned $23K to $38Kin their first year. This network, which started out with 24 members across the nation, now has over 3000 churches and a waiting list. Churches in Texas are generating up to $100,000 annually through the platform, reinvesting into ministries and outreach
With a new partnership in Michigan, ChurchSpace is relocating its headquarters to Detroit and partnering with the city to transform sacred space into economic engines of job creation, delivery services, and community vibrancy. This initiative will activate church campuses across Detroit as flexible event spaces, business hubs, micro-logistics centers, and last-mile delivery centers.
At its heart, ChurchSpace brings together faith, innovation, and community revitalization—guided by two leaders shaped by churches, inspired by their struggles, and determined to reimagine how those spaces can serve the modern world.
About Emmanuel Brown and Day Edwards:
Emmanuel Brown is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of ChurchSpace. Raised in the pulpit as a pastor’s kid, he brings personal insight into the financial and operational burdens churches face. A first-gen entrepreneur from New York City, Emmanuel blends startup savvy with spiritual sensitivity. He's been recognized in Black Enterprise’s 40 Under 40 and the 2024 Black Tech Effect Report’s Top 100 Black-Led Startups.
Day Edwards is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of ChurchSpace. Also a pastor’s kid, she witnessed her own family's ministry stretched thin by overhead. Day is a second generation church planter with over 12 years experience in church marketing/public relations and church facility/event logistics. Leveraging tech skills and vision, Day co-created a platform that empowers churches to thrive financially and deepen community outreach. Her leadership drives ChurchSpace’s mission of economic justice and faithful stewardship.
