apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I would absolutely live in an old church, especially one this beautiful. But I'm not religious so that may have something to do with my opinion. To me, it would be ironic. I guess to others it may be uncomfortable.

i bet this place is TOTALLY haunted.

okay..i've seen apartments converted from Georgian church or some sort of similar building near my office in Sydney, Australia, but none of those original stained glass and creepy tombstones~~~~~~~~~~ brrrrrrrrrr

This place is stunning! I would definitely do it, although the cemetary in the yard would be a little creepy...

I'm with Sam, I'm not religious so I wouldn't really think about it ways that others might.

I think parts of it are beautiful. I'd leave the structure as original as possible, but I would avoid using the chairs (not sure what they're called) and other churchy furnishings.

The inside is of the church is nice. It has beautiful windows and high ceilings. HOWEVER, the graveyard in front of the church is just horrible. I agree with the above. This place is haunted.

I would totally live there. The UK is full of so many old churches. I'm glad they can keep up this beautiful old building and keep it much as it was while making it work as a home.

good point kittystockings...maybe bodies still buried outside and inside given the age? I don't think I could sleep in that first bed placement (by the windows, maybe on an altar?), but the 2nd one in the loft seems nice.

Absolutely one of my dreams! What a beautiful home...

I would totally feel weird on a daily basis. But that's just me.

gettogethablog.com

i'd totally do it but i think it would be awkward to do other curricular activities there if you know what i mean.

It's wonderful that they chose to purchase and maintain that amazing historic building, rather than letting it be razed and have subdivisions put over it.

This is Amazing use (and respect) of a timeless piece of architecture. To live in such history has to be surreal. We attempt to open our minds to every other sort of alternative dwelling, but this lends itself to the next generation of spacial rethinking and re-tinkering. Your home SHOULD be a place of spirituality and community. I personally find the ghosts of a old slaughterhouse turned loft in the meatpacking district, more haunting than a church; where you find the some of the best-intended and most beautiful spiritual concentrate of human existance. I have my eye on that foreclosed monastery in Provence for my summer get-a-way.

Still looks too much like a church for my comfort. I do like their use of the chairs with the hymnal holder in back for dining chairs.

laughing @ Werthequeerkids

Many of the old convents in Montreal have been converted into living spaces. I agree that it's a great way to preserve the old buildings; otherwise they might be razed. And since I'm a sucker for gothic revival furniture anyway...

Too much religious connotation for a home imo.

I couldn't do it. I'm not very religious, yet I wouldn't even be able to walk into their living room (aka the altar!). For hundreds of years it was a sacred space, so I wouldn't be able to sprawl and be my normal self in that space. The church is gorgeous..... as a church. I really hope that someday it returns to its former glory as a place to worship.

P.S. I read an article several years ago about a couple that bought and converted a New England church. Apparently strangers knock on their door regularly asking to see the pastor.

sorry, the altar is the bedroom.... all the worse in my opinion! totally couldn't do it!

Creepy... that is, if you come from a strong christian background (or even if not)... But structurewise, ceiling height, architectural accents, the place is simply stunning. If there is none of the church-religious lore in your cultural reference background this is a great place.

oh god, that bathroom is . . . drooooooool. love it.

So beautiful! I'm an atheist, but you can't deny the aesthetic appeal. More buildings should be designed to be uplifting and calming.

I've always loved the idea of converting a church into a home. I wouldn't feel weird about the church at all. As others have mentioned, the cemetery is a bit creepy. Plus, if it were me I would make the inside look a lot less like a church and more like a home. Other than the kitchen, it looks very much like a church still.

I lived in a converted church for a couple years as a child but it was more of a late 1800's revivalist church so no stain glassed windows.

I am not sure I am a huge fan of this conversion but I have seen others that I have loved.

I love it. I'm religious, but not christian, so for me, the church is just a space used for religion - the space isn't the important thing, it's the reverence placed on it.

I would do different furnishings, personally.

I think it's soothing.

I love the idea, and the church is stunning. But what is with those two shabby blue sofas?

Funny, I find the cemetery the least creepy part. I rather like the company of the dead - they're quiet, and I'm sure they know a lot. My husband and I will always stop at an old cemetery if we see one - we'll try to construct the family stories from the tombstones.

As for the converted church itself, I think it's kind of sexy (yeah, I've got the whole forbidden-Catholic-thing in my background), so the whole idea of extracurricular activities isn't a problem. It's the casual hanging out that would be a little off-putting. How could one watch House on the sofa in a place like that? More to the point, isn't it really, really cold? How on earth could anyone afford to heat that place?

Sally Onions and Ian Bottomley?? Is someone pulling my leg? For the record, I don't think I could use the bathroom.

I wouldn't mind living in a smaller church, but this one is huge and has a cold feel.

I find the space a little too big and I'm not too thrilled about the religious symbols and the graveyard for a backyard. There is a feeling of disconnect here, like the furniture doesn't belong. It may just be the fact that the furniture looks cozy, and would fit better in a smaller space. The only room I like is the upstairs bedroom.

What's the big deal?

Living in a place where families and friends came together for years to celebrate births, coming of age, holidays, marriages, entire lives - How could that be worse than living in an old warehouse, factory, sweatshop, retail store, library, bank or gas station?

There's a church down our street that's been converted to a home, and it creeps me out, even though I don't practice any religion. If I were my neighbors, I'd at least take the steeple down.

But I would jump at the chance to live in a post office or library!

I can't make up my mind.

Apparently this one is for sale... 625,000 euro

http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-kyloe-79403
This link has more photos and a link to the layout. 5 bedrooms, 2 baths... What a neat place.

I would sell or donate the stained glass to preservationists and replace it with something a bit more simple. The furniture also seems at sea in the large space.

The structure and window motifs are very severe and austere. Reminds me of the home makeover from The Bird's Nest.

I'm an atheist and would definitely live here. I think it's just gorgeous. And the cemetery doesn't bother me. They're dead bodies rotting in the ground - there's certainly nothing alive left to haunt you. That's, frankly, really silly.

Honey? Did you knock over another dadgum tombstone with the riding mower again?

Gorgeous. I don't find the cemetery creepy at all, and I don't believe in ghosts. I'm surprised so many people do.

The bedroom on the stage doesn't work for me though. It seems odd.


But I agree w/ brittanykate on the rest

I am religious, so it wouldn't bother me at all. The graveyard, while unusual, would just be a tangible reminder of the communion of saints that have lived there before me.

Yeah awesome BUT why hasn't anyone commented on the really horrible decorating?

What is happening in that living room? The weird denim couch and tiny rug?

Man, if I lived there I would DECK IT OUT.

It would be over the top and fabulous. I'm thinking chandeliers in every room.

It's stunning (especially that bathroom), but I think if I lived here, I would always feel a little weird about it. I think I just need my house to look like a house.

This would be a fun place to visit, though.

I think it's beautiful and I would absolutely live there. I'm a Christian and I can't imagine a more peaceful home.

I think the living room would be better served with different furniture. Those couches look very dowdy in comparison to the grandeur of the space. But it's otherwise stunning.

The only thing that might weird me out is if there were frequent visitors to that graveyard. Otherwise, my only considerations for living in a converted house of worship would be the ones I'd have for any potential home. For example, this space is dramatic and beautiful, but also seems like it would be difficult and expensive to heat and cool.

They "de-sanctify" them before they sell them for residences, you know.

I used to work in a building that was converted from a Marist seminary, my library was in the former chapel. (No cool stained glass -- it was removed when the building was sold and taken off to Marist HQ someplace...) It's just a big empty space, you know. (Although my predecessors cooked up a ghost story that people ask about to this day.) (No ghost. Not even a long term legend of one.)

I'd live in a church, if the church was attractive to me and in a good location. I wouldn't go out of my way to do it, though, or buy one "just because" if it wasn't something I loved. I agree that the heating and other maintenance issues might be overwhelming. But places designed and built at certain points in history for worship by groups are usually built well, to hold up to all that activity, and the details are often gorgeous, with lots of wood, often carved, and the glass... so you'd probably be getting something really unique.

I am always saddened by church conversions. Regardless of how well-purposed and enlivened the space can be for alternate uses, there's something very sad to me about the death of a congregation of worshippers.

There's also a processional aspect of entering such a space that can't be overcome. And, the strong focal point of the altar/pulpit. If anything, I would expect that the focus would require that the space be redesigned to emphasize the reuse of this area as the most communal space, the heart of the home. Although I can understand as well the more public area/private area sectioning that was done here, making your bed the focal point of your entire home is odd, and in this case discomforting.

I think it's beautiful with the high ceilings and all. Also the stained glass windows are beautiful. The only thing that would creep me out would be living right next to a grave yard...

When I was in grade school, I loved our church and wanted to live in it. I knew exactly where all my furniture would go. And now, I'm all grown up a obviously not alone! I love it.

yes!

i tried to buy one myself about 15 years ago, but it had no running water or central heating system. even at $35,000 Cdn, making it into a home made it less of a bargain than it seemed. (and that was with a HUGE lot with a stream forming the eastern boundary...)

*sigh*

Yes, yes and yes! I LOVE this!

The graveyard would be a deal breaker. I've seen too many Night of the Living Dead movies to ever feel comfortable or safe from the inhabitants.

I remember this article the first time you wrote it last August. Hey anything new here?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/church-and-chapel-conversions-uk-060950

granted It's not exactly the same, but it is pretty similar

I do believe in ghosts but the graveyard doesn't creep me out at all. I actually find it to be very peaceful. I love all the architectural detail but the bed on the altar?? What the??? Not cosy at all. Plus I really don't like the blue sofas. Agree with all previous comments there. Someone mentioned large chandeliers and I think that would be a step in the right direction for sure. It needs more dramatic decorating in keeping with the grandeur of the place. I have seen other church conversions that are much nicer and more livable. Good luck to them though! I don't think I would take on such a big task and it is always better to preserve these places.

I think it's great. Better than being torn down. And I don't understand all the superstition--there aren't ghosts, zombies, the undead or an afterlife. Are there really so many people with a rich fantasy life?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/history/droolworthy-windows-living-in-a-flemish-chapel-075932

I think this is much better

Only if water turned to wine. Now that would be cool.

I love it, except for the bed flanked by the two candles. Creeepy in a kind of Stardust witches' abode or bad movie where the victim being sacrificed is lying on the altar . . . looks like that bed is where the altar usually is.

I'd worry about people trying to get in for services or scouting out wedding venues, though. =)

No way. And it's totally haunted.

adore the concept, but the bed-on-the-altar thing is a little...rosemary's baby, no?

No.

I mourn for all of the parishioners throughout the years who came humbly to that alter rail to receive communion and experience God's presence.

And now there's just a bed there. It just feels a little sad to me. Like, this couple is missing out on the joy of what used to be in that place.

Anyway, that's just my two cents. Love to them.

Oh, I would live there in a second, no thinking needed! What a beautiful, restful space.

In response to Slowdown's comments - the old graveyard in the picture is about 150 years old, and is marked as the house's private property. There is another graveyard a little ways from the property, which is the current burial site. My grandmother, grandfather and aunt are buried there.

It is a very very beautiful place - and interesting to see the inside. I might point out that it is a church slap-bang in the countryside (it overlooks the Holy Isle - Lindisfarne) and due to falling countryside popul1ation, the church had been empty for a very long time.

I imagine it is probably quite cold though - it's a very windswept area, but the church like Northumberland is gorgeous.
And I definitely don't think it's haunted, in fact surely graveyards are immune from hauntings? (you know, apart from in the Thriller video and bad vampire movies....)

I wonder what their heating bills are like...

I know I've seen this before sometime. I am not sure if I would feel comfortable living in a church - mostly because it was a place people came to worship and would feel more like public property than my home. So it's nothing with the religion, though I am indeed very Christian.

I so am against the bed on the altar - that seems so wrong in so many ways. It would have been better served as some kind of sitting room or even putting the kitchen there somehow. I do love the bedroom in the loft though.

I love this idea. I used to work in a hair salon that was in a co-op in an old church--There was us, a dress seller, a restaurant and an interior design firm. We were on the altar space, and felt EXTRA blessed to be there!

If anyone really does want to live in a converted church, there are several for sale in pittsburgh. There are also converted churches in pgh that are now brewpubs/restaurants, loft apartments, and theatres.

better than letting them sit and rot. and they are really gorgeous.

I'm loving that this actually still looks like a church. I've seen a number of condo conversions done to churches in the Boston area, and most of the interiors lose any semblance of the original church architecture, which is a real shame. And that's coming from an atheist. I truly appreciate the great architecture, and am glad to see this place preserved so beautifully.

I love it, the graveyard was unexpected but I think I would have enough respect for the graves that they would not bother me. I grew up with a Revolutionary War graveyard near my house so it doesn't frighten me.

I would probably lay out the interior differently, I agree with the person about the bed on the altar. Not for religious reasons but I couldn't sleep right there.

Uh-uh, no.

I lived in a group house in Georgetown that was owned by a priest. The house didn't have an overtly religious feel - except for my room. It had an altar in it.

It was a neat architectural aspect, and useful to put things on. But I was always too superstitious to do anything in the least bit unholy. It's hard to ever feel truly relaxed if you're worrying about your immortal soul. (Could anyone guess that I'm Catholic?)

The cemetery is the best part!

Their layout and decor is not great. The bed on the alter is just WRONG. Super disrespectful, tacky at best, whether you're "religious" or not.

I'm religious, but I would still love to live there! I wouldn't put my bed where the altar used to be (make that a prayer room or something), but otherwise it's gorgeous! And I'm not superstitious so the graves don't bother me.

Same here Mrs Mack! I hope whoever lives there respects the space and the history. I would LOVE living there!!!

I think it would be like living in a castle; nice if you can afford maid service, but for me I'd be overwhelmed with all the space.

I think it's sad how godless of a society we've become that churches are popping up as homes.

I wouldn't mind it at all. the space is amazing (decoration and furniture placement aside).

there are a few things to keep in mind. would you rather that they dug up the graveyard and moved the bodies? personally, I think that would piss off the ghosts more. and for those of you mourning the death of the church congregation, keep in mind that there are many reasons why a church might become vacant. in my town there are two churches that have been converted into homes--both because the congregation grew too large and needed a new space.

if you are going to have a vacant church, for whatever reason, would it be less sacrilegious to have it fall into disrepair and eventual ruin?

Church as home concept is OK, but the decor here is really dull for such a grand space.

Agree with Rainybeth. The denim-y slipcovered sofas don't have the grandeur or formality one would expect in a church-turned-home. I'd rather have seen over-the-top velvet and a lot of carved wood.

But I love the idea, and I think it would be peaceful to be surrounded by so many old souls. And if they are watching I am sure they would be happier to see life in the church than boarded-up windows and only mice for inhabitants.

i live in a converted church. the only details that hint that it was previously a church are the pew marks on the concrete floors, and the sunday school rooms in the basement. there are no archways or stained glass - it's a concrete cube. our bed is where the baptismals took place. it's not creepy in the slightest because we choose to not decorate with DENIM. :)

so hot! I'd love to live in a converted church. I'm more earth-based *ahem* spiritual so it would be totally ironic. I'm glad they preserved the actual building so well, it's beautiful. A ! And the graveyard... I would throw such rockin' tea parties there! So cool! I feel like a teenager just thinking about it. Those old souls probably need a little excitement. That bathroom is awesome!

I would totally live in a church, graveyard and all. In fact, I'd prefer a church with a graveyard. But then, I spent my summers at my grandparents house in the country dancing around the small graveyard hidden in the trees surrounding the house.

Hell no, I couldn't live there.

My Mom lives in a converted church in northern WI, and absolutely loves it. They haven't made many changes- the cross was removed, but there's still a steeple and it's obvious it was a church once. There were unfortunately no original stained-glass windows (a protestant church in a small town), but they do have a few pews thrown in, used as benches. It's a beautiful, open space, and she got an amazing deal on it, because no one else was creative enough to think it could be used for anything other than a church. She still gets people knocking on the door, often just wanting to see the inside.

Also, to those who made comments about how sad it is that churches are being "abandoned"- this congregation outgrew their 100 year-old space and built a bigger building. I imagine selling the old church was part of how they financed the bigger, new church. What's wrong with that?

When Mom first bought the church, lots of people asked if she wouldn't mind being in a religious place (we're not), or one where so many funerals, etc. took place. She's always maintained that there were far more weddings, baptisms and celebrations in the place, and it really does have a happy, peaceful vibe.

I would totally live in one if someone else did all the work to renovate it. There's a few churches here that are now apartment buildings. My friend lived in one of them and it wasn't "churchy" at all. In fact near where I grew up there's a small church converted to a house. I always wanted to see what it was like inside but I didn't know the people who lived there. I imagine the congregation probably set up at one of the newer churches near by (Baptist and United).

Not unless I get a real phobia of vampires.
Creepy.

This is unbelievably stunning!!!I have had my greatest moments in church so I am sure living in one every day would only make life more wonderful. Great job and sleep well.

creepiness....

the kitchen and hte bathroom are cool, everything else not so much, and again the view from the window is a graveyard, soooo creepy