[2] The neo-Gothic church building in Thomas Circle in Washington, D.C., was designed by architects Judson York, J. C. Harkness, and Henry Davis and constructed in 1873 as a memorial to peace and reconciliation following the American Civil War.

A multi-denominational religious community led by Luther Place, with a Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic coalition (ProJeCt), gradually created what was to become known as N Street Village.

John and Erna Steinbruck, together with Luther Place congregation, founded N Street Village and created a vision and a challenge to the wider community that gained wide volunteer and financial support.

The multi-year effort raised $19.5 million in capital gifts and government grants, loans, and low income tax credits.

Luther Place made its land available for the construction and a complex public private partnership was formed to meet the requirements of the government's low income tax credit program.