"We buy old buildings." Jacoba Wells explained how Commonwealth Sanctuary, Northern Kentucky's only comedy club, began. Her partner, Nathan Kroeger, nodded in agreement. But there's much more to how this empty church has found renewed purpose in the middle of residential Dayton, Kentucky.
Wells and Kroeger moved here in 2019 because of sailboats. They were in Cincinnati for a show; he wanted to scope out the local marinas to see if there were any sailboats. Instead, they found the town they would soon fall in love with.
Dayton, Kentucky, has a population of around 5700 people, according to the latest data available. This small town feels like a place that time forgot - in a good way. People who live here have done so forever; generations pass down their property to each other. Everyone tends to know each other. This is evident at the local sports bar, Hometown Heroes. This cozy mom-and-pop spot features nightly specials that range from Chicken Alfredo to Ribeye steaks. My favorite is the gigantic meaty boneless wings; I like the honey BBQ sauce, but the spicy garlic is good, too. The list of sauces is as extensive as the rest of the menu - and each entree is served with a side of charming hometown warmth.
That warmth drew Wells and Kroeger to move to the riverside city after they bought their first commercial property. They integrated themselves into the community, joining a few city boards and making friends in the neighborhood. And when the church at 522 5th Avenue became available, they decided to take a risk and buy it. That was in April of 2020.
Then, to understate it significantly, some stuff happened. Globally. (COVID-19, in case you forgot.)
Hometown Heroes is just one of the many local hotspots that have likely seen an uptick in business since the Commonwealth Sanctuary opened in 2023. The Rose Room, a classic dive bar, is popular for post-show hangouts. Galactic Fried Chicken, the German-cuisine fueled Tuba, and the two Mexican restaurants nearby have also benefitted from the comedy crowd making an evening of it in the humble town.
While the couple were big fans of The Comedy Attic in Bloomington, IN where they lived before moving to Dayton, they had never produced a comedy show themselves. But in the summer of 2021, Shawn Braley began promoting comedy events in The Garage, a mixed-use multipurpose space a few blocks away. Wells and Kroeger, who live nearby, began attending these events and started a relationship with Braley. The shows at The Garage were well attended, but they ended after two years.
This prompted the trio to brainstorm on whether or not the old church would work as a permanent venue for comedy and other events. Wells and Kroeger, who are like-minded in their desire to promote connection and community, decided to welcome the public into the space formerly home to Tower Methodist Church.
What better way to welcome folks than with laughter.
Braley, Creative Director and comedy booker, has had an interesting journey. A former pastor, he experienced the closing of his church, a divorce, and other challenging life circumstances - but has come out on the other side in a committed relationship with a brand new baby and a focus on growing this venue into a buzz-worthy entertainment venue.
"I always thought about doing standup comedy, but it seemed kind of impossible." Despite that lack of faith, he eventually tried a few jokes at an open mic. Over time, he turned pro. He’s hosted shows at Go Bananas and is a regular on comedy stages all over the region.
"He's not afraid to reach," said Kroeger of Braley. "If there's someone he thinks would be a good fit for us, he reaches out." And while the 100-seat auditorium is too intimate for some of the comics Braley would like to feature, others jump at the chance to work the room. "We've been told by folks on stage that the acoustics make it seem like there's a lot more people here. And the word of mouth from other comics has helped, too."
Comedy isn't the only art form or event type that Commonwealth Sanctuary is hoping to host. They've tried a few things, like craft events, family-friendly movie screenings, football watch parties, a vintage market, and even trivia - but comedy is the constant hit. In fact, they are a little surprised at the attention - and ticket sales - they're seeing in 2024.
But why not? After all, they consistently promote various local and national touring comedians - and ambitiously, they will feature headliners like Rich Vos, Matt Braunger, Doug Benson, and Michael Ian Black later this year. Their March shows featuring Eden Sher, who played "Sue Heck" from the sitcom "The Middle," have already sold out.
On Valentine's Day, they are producing "Unhinged Speed Dating," which, according to their website, is "meant for people looking for love along with people looking for friends." Be prepared to match with anyone, even a shark! This is about friends and dating." Conceived by Louisville comedians June Dempsey and Hilary Boston, this unique event ticks all the boxes of the venue's mission.
Jacoba is a librarian by trade; she and Kroeger believe that expanding community connections is their true mission. "We try to keep our prices reasonable." The food they serve is from Kate's Catering, just a few blocks away. In addition to the solid comedy lineup already announced through June, there are plans to host songwriter-in-the-round nights, concerts, and more theatrical productions in the space. With less than a year under their belts, they are just getting started.
Braley, who has undergone a deconstruction of his faith, seems to have also found a new path to fulfill his passion for people. "While the name is obviously a nod to being in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, it's also about community. And the sanctuary, while a nod to the church's history, is also about providing a safe space for everyone. Kroeger pointed out the parallels between leaving a good church service and leaving a funny night of comedy. "It's spiritual, in its own way."
Even on the nights he's not telling jokes on stage, Braley says he feels like he's pastoring in a new way. He greets the regulars before and after the events. He plans the comedy programming thoughtfully and with purpose.
It seems you can take the pastor out of the church and even take “the church” out of the pastor - but one cannot deny a true calling.
Dayton, for all of its small-town charm, is like many villages. They can be suspicious of new people, traditional in their values, and somewhat reluctant to change. But Wells and Kroeger have done much to ingratiate themselves to their neighbors. Parking can be a headache; they do their best to communicate about the public lots so that those who live around the building aren't inconvenienced by the patrons. They not only spend time and money at local establishments, but they encourage people to make a night of it in Dayton - and they are getting positive feedback and gratitude from the other local businesses.
Commonwealth Sanctuary is an example of what's good about small-town living - hardworking, community-minded people celebrating and promoting their beautiful city and laughing while they do it. And even though they are fairly recent transplants, Kroeger and Wells have settled in just fine.
"This is home," Kroeger said.
COMMONWEALTH SANCTUARY is located at 522 5th Avenue in Dayton, KY. More information about upcoming events can be found on their website.