About
Mission
The Woodbine Chamber, at the former Chapel of St. Philip Neri, is a cultural venue in Old Louisville dedicated to enriching urban life through music, connection, and celebration. Since 1997, we’ve offered pay-what-you-can programs for our guests, supporting both emerging and established artists with care and attention. The Chamber is committed to being an international hub for creative exploration. Within our unique space, we empower Louisville's creative community through inclusivity, adaptability, and collaboration.
Leadership
Staff
Executive Director - Jackson Kinkead
Board
Wayne Mains
Paul Noltemeyer
Emily Ravenscraft
Ella Rennekamp
Charlie Walsh
History
The Woodbine Chamber resides at the former Chapel of St Philip Neri campus in Old Louisville. The 8,000 sq ft building’s cornerstone was laid in 1898. Architect JJ Gaffney designed the space prior to the wide use of microphones, instead using medieval techniques in order to naturally amplify and enrich sound. The result is one of the most acoustically wonderful rooms in the country.
Following urban shifts after the urban development of I-65, this former cathedral was desanctified and sold by the Catholic diocese. Noted philanthropy group Vernon Robrterson Urban Charities, Inc and a chapter of Montessori Schools bought the property. They started the Chapel of St Philip Neri, Inc, and empowered a group of young folks to start new community organizations. This process is what started La Casita Center and the Dorothy Day Woodbine House.
We are the same 501(c)3 that remains today. We governed the property and continued to organize public events, with an emphasis on music. The first Executive Director was Bill Walsh, a beloved Atherton High School theater teacher. In 1997, Duluth Minnesota’s band Low recorded a live album here with BlueSanct. 1998 included shows by Rachel Grimes and Matmos.
In 2007, Alice Walsh won a grant to restore the stained glass windows from Kentucky Colonel’s. The same year Damo Suzuki performed with Sapat.
Through 2017-2023, Architect Tom Jones, as Board Chair and later Executive Director, conducted extensive research into the building and methods of restoration. With growing support and interest from the local community, more shows began to be booked here and more bookings shifted toward an inhouse curatorial group. During that time Charles Rivera and Charlie Walsh booked many shows.
In 2023, Jackson Kinkead became the new Executive Director and since then has increased awareness, revenue, accessibility and programming capacity, leading to 2024 being the organization's most successful year. Alongside former Oldham County Director of Zoning and Urban Planning, Jim Urban, Board Chairman for 3 years, they acquired support from a Leadership Louisville Encore group to strengthen all the on campus organizations’ relationship with the property’s parent company Vernon Robertson Urban Charities.
In 2025, we changed our name to The Woodbine Chamber to show our clear commitment to music and our place in the neighborhood.