The Ugly Church Basement: Now open for business

At Big Hill Books, we’ve been busy renovating our lower-level space—DIY style. Affectionately referred to as “the Ugly Church Basement,” this space embraces its existing 1970s vibe with gold carpet, flocked wallpaper and donated furnishings to welcome book clubs, community groups and party attendees.

To date, Big Hill Books has hosted four book clubs, a luncheon for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Alumnae Chapter of Delta Delta Delta, and a St. Paul Harm Reduction Art Circle group. In a few weeks, the Ugly Church Basement will provide the space for two new groups: the Writers’ Incubator and Reading With Kids: A Class for Parents and Caregivers (see the events page on this site for more details).

Why do we call it the Ugly Church Basement? What is now the home of Big Hill Books at 405 Penn Ave. So., originated in 1919 as the Bryn Mawr Chapel. The lower level still houses the remnants of what used to be the church kitchen and enough room to host roughly 50 people. There’s even a functioning half-bath!

Big Hill Books offers this space free of charge to any group that reserves the space for use during business hours. After-hours use involves a rental fee to cover staffing and utilities. Send an email to hello@bighillbooks.com to make a reservation.

Like many independent bookstores, Big Hill Books wants to help build community in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood and beyond. The Ugly Church Basement offers affordable space to fulfill this mission.

~ Beth