When St. Mary’s closed and Summit Academy Canton Elementary gained use of the entire building, the school inherited a beautiful, historic space that came with a unique challenge: a large sanctuary filled with rows of wooden church pews.
The room had so much potential. It was spacious and full of character, but the pews made it difficult to use the area as the flexible, multipurpose space the school needed.
Still, the Canton Elementary team found ways to make it work. The space hosted meetings, school programs, and special events, including the school’s end-of-year talent show. But late last year, Jason West, Community Resource Coordinator, began wondering if there might be a better way to use the space.
He brought the idea to Sarah Knwasnicka, Canton Elementary’s principal, with a simple question:
What if?
What if the pews could be removed by working together with organizations in the community? What if the school could create a more functional space, potentially raise some money, and at the same time give another organization an opportunity to make a difference?
West immediately thought of Project Rebuild.
Earlier that year, Project Rebuild had partnered with Canton Elementary to build a Blessing Box. That project had been a wonderful example of what can happen when a school and a community organization come together around a shared purpose. Canton Elementary provided the space and opportunity, while Project Rebuild gave young people the chance to learn valuable construction skills through hands-on work that directly benefited their community.
West reached out to Joanna James, Executive Director of Project Rebuild, and shared his idea.
Rather than simply removing and discarding the beautiful wooden pews, they decided to give them a second life.
Some of the wood was transformed into a counter and storage area for the teachers’ lounge.
For West, that part of the project was especially meaningful. He believes teachers and staff deserve a place where they can pause, breathe, recharge, and enjoy a few quiet moments during their busy days.
The work educators do is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be challenging and demanding. A comfortable, welcoming space to step away for a few minutes may seem like a small thing, but those small things can make a big difference.
And so, what began as a conversation about what to do with a room full of pews became something much more.
The Canton Elementary teachers’ lounge was transformed.
West found two reclining side chairs at ReStore and gave them a new home in the lounge. Two stools were added to the new counter made from the repurposed church pews. Project Rebuild went a step further, building a shelving unit above and beside the refrigerator. The new shelving created valuable storage while freeing up counter space for a microwave and air fryer.
A toaster and coffee maker were added as well, making the space even more comfortable and convenient for staff.
Today, the teachers’ lounge feels completely different. It is warm, welcoming, comfortable, and inviting—a place designed with the people who spend their days caring for and educating children in mind.
And the best part?
The staff is happy with it.
What began as a room that was difficult to use became an opportunity to create something meaningful. An old church pew that might have been discarded became part of a new space where teachers can gather, share a conversation, enjoy a cup of coffee, or simply take a moment for themselves.
That is the heart of this project.
It is more than a renovated teachers’ lounge. It is a reminder of what can happen when we look at a challenge differently and ask, “What if?”
That is exactly what happened
.
Through creativity and collaboration, Canton Elementary and Project Rebuild were able to repurpose beautiful materials, provide young people with meaningful hands-on experience, strengthen an important community partnership, improve a space for teachers and staff, and keep something with history and character from simply being thrown away.
And the story doesn’t end with the renovation.
The Summit Academy family group plans to help keep the lounge stocked with snacks and fresh fruit for teachers and staff. It is a small but heartfelt way to say something that educators don’t always hear often enough:
We see you. We appreciate you. And we are grateful for all that you do.
Sometimes, transformation doesn’t begin with a big plan or a large budget.
Sometimes, it begins with a simple question.
What if?
What if we looked at an old space and saw possibility?
What if we looked at unused materials and saw potential?
What if we looked at a challenge and saw an opportunity to help someone else?
When we are willing to ask those questions—and when we are willing to work together—the possibilities can be remarkable.
A room full of old church pews became a place of comfort.
A community partnership became a learning opportunity.
And a simple “What if?” became something truly special for the people who matter most: the teachers and staff who give so much to our students every day.