Siglin Music Preservation Fund | Preserving and Presenting Americana Music Future home of recorded concerts from The Ark 19691996 photos concert posters articles and more A Brief History of the Legendary Folk Venue The Ark was established in 1965 as an outreach ministrya coffeehouseby four local churches Northside Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church Calvary Presbyterian Church and Campus Chapel. Though the Ark began as a partnership between religious organizations the purpose of the Ark was not evangelism. Rather the Ark founders wanted to provide university students with a safe substancefree space where music discussion and artistic expression could thrive and a respite from the turbulent campus climate of the mid 1960s. After the Presbyterians dropped the lease and later destroyed the house The Ark was forced to find a new home.