1930's Converted Church - Rotterdam

Along the river De Rotte in Rotterdam stands a wooden church from 1930. Before this totally modern make-over, the church was used as a motor mechanic garage. The entire church is left open on the river side, which allows light to stream in through the brand new floor-to-roof windows and sliding glass doors. The living space is located over three floors.  For the full story and more photos on this modernistic Conversion, click Here.

Converted Chapel, UK

This former Chapel has been converted into a comfortable and stylish home, complete with art-deco interior decoration and furnishings, while retaining many of the original features including the beautiful stained glass.  I really like the use of dividing the rooms with glass, keeping the open flow of the building intact. 

More photos here - Source:

What should you do before you commit to buy a Church?

Surveys

Before you commit to buying a church, it is essential to have a survey undertaken and look in to any planning matters.

It is essential to get a full structural and condition survey of the church, so you know exactly what you'll be taking on. This should be undertaken by a surveyor or architect who is experienced in the care and repair of historic churches. Such buildings have often been badly maintained and common problems include wet and dry rot, which is costly to fix. Make sure you obtain the full costs of conversion, plus recommended repairs, from the surveyor or a specialist builder, so you can budget accordingly.

Also bear in mind that buildings put up before 1840 may well need signing off by an archaeologist before any work commences. You will have to bear the cost for the archaeologist who might look for anything from signs of burial to treasure. An archaeologist has the power to delay and - in unusual cases - permanently stop any work you have planned, so get this sorted well in advance of any building schedule.


Planning Matters

Redundant churches are subject to normal planning, listed building and conservation area controls. Planning permission is usually required for a change of use, so contact the local planning officer to discuss your proposals, which will also need to be approved by the Church in the case of an Anglican building.  Employ an architect to draw up detailed plans and deal with the various officials involved. 


Access & Covenants

Covenants and rights of access are part and parcel of buying a church. Your solicitor will be able to check exactly what these entail and how much they impinge on daily life. Common covenants include ones ensuring the building is only used for authorised purposes, but fortunately ones prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in former Methodist chapels are rare nowadays!

If there's burial ground attached to or bordering your property, it's likely that parishioners will have a right of access to the graveyard, so consider whether this lack of privacy will bother you.

While this is only a very rough guide, it does give food for thought - if only to let you know that there is a lot more ground work in buying a Church than a 'normal' house.

Check out this website for more info.  Although aimed at UK buyers, it is still full of interesting tips: Source.

1910 Gothic Revival Church For Sale - San Francisco.

This stunning Gothic Revival style building, formerly a church, is now one of the largest and most extraordinary single family homes in San Francisco, at 17000 sqft, nestled on 1 acre.

This one-of-a-kind property features a breathtaking living room with soaring, coffered, hand-painted ceilings with magnificent chandeliers, beautiful stained glass windows, as well as impressive arched windows framing Dolores Park. The main living level boasts a spacious chef's kitchen, extra large formal dining room, open den, two fireplaces, marble bathroom and a stage. The master suite level features a generous bedroom area, library, media area, Roman marble bath, dressing room, home office and incredible 360 degree views from the tower meditation room and deck. This home also includes an expansive ground floor level that could be used as exhibition space, recording studio, private gymnasium, wine cellars and/or large home office. The garage accommodates 4-6 cars with potential for expansion.

Located in San Francisco's historic Mission District, and surrounded by some of the city's most popular restaurants and cafes, it's a steal at $7.5 Million.

Website and more pictures after the jump.

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13th Century Church Converted Into A Bookstore - Holland

Merkx+Girod Architects' redesign of the former Dominican Church in Maastricht, Holland, is for all eyes to see. Merkx+Girod were approached by the Dutch booksellers Selexyz (think Barnes & Noble), who asked them to convert the thirteenth-century church into a modern bookstore. Their redesign made them the winner of the 2007 Dutch Interior Design Prize.

With only 750 square meters of available space, Merkx+Girod were asked to create 1,200 square meters of commercial area. Instead of creating several floors within, which would destroy the buildings unreplicable spacial quality, they built a monumental walk-in, three-story bookcase situated a-symmetrically inside the church. Climbing the "bookflat" rewards the customers with a close-up of ancient murals and stunning views, paying homage to the building's details rather than concealing them.

Visitors can also experience the ancient architecture from a whole new variety of angles, which symbolizes not just a functional rebirth, but a physical one as well.

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Historical Church Conversion - Kyloe UK.

One couple bought a historical church in Kyloe, Northumberland UK. They invested a lot of money to maintain its exterior and interior. If it were not for them, who knows what would have happened to this beautiful church as it was in such poor condition. The couple however readapted the interior to give it a home atmosphere.  As an added bonus, it has my most desired feature - a Graveyard :) 

More pictures after the jump.

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Church Of The Day - For Sale.

Today we have a listing for an absolutely stunning Church Conversion, in Wisconsin US.  This place has it all - 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 7000 sq ft over 3 levels.  Has Residential and Commercial Zoning. The attention to detail is unbelievable.  Please see the Agents Listing for more information and photos of this phenomenal building.  Price $899,000

More pictures and Info after the jump.

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Netherlands Converted Church

Here is a fine example of a Converted Church in the Netherlands.  The open space and utilization of the same, is part of the fascination I have with these buildings.  The only thing I would change is the amount of 'White' everyhere - it needs to be broken-up.  Also, I find a totally white kitchen impractical....but, that's just me :) 

Check out more great photos from Marquette Turned on this stunning Conversion after the jump.

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Why Would Anyone Want To Live In A Church???

I have always wanted to live in a Church.  Many years ago, my Grandmother would to take and arrange flowers at the local Catholic Church for their Masses.  I remember going with her one day, and being spell-bound the first time I ever saw the inside of the Church - it's grandness, the mesmerizing colors in the glass windows, the beckoning stairwells to the choir loft and bell tower. For a 6 year old, it was an amazing place, full of wonder and adventure - even some 30 years later, old Churches still give me a warm feeling, and take me back to my childhood.

Now that I am married, my husband and I have been looking to move away from the city.  I had been scouring the Classifieds for Houses for Sale, when oneday, I came upon a Church for Sale.  I was shocked~!  Why would a Church be for sale I wondered.  Who would want to buy one?  I thought I was the only 'crazy' person who ever had a fleeting thought of living in one. Oh, how wrong I was.  Doing web searches, I found that there are hundreds of Churches for sale, and just as many people wanting to live in them, or renovate them.  I had struck gold~!!

The first time I mentioned to my Husband that there was a lovely little Church for sale, he was convinced that I had finally lost my mind.  When I started to tell him about the popularity of Converted Churches, he still wasn't convinced, and couldn't imagine the interior ever being turned into a comfortable home.  Thus, my challenge began. I was on a mission to convince my Husband that we could find a church and make it a wonderful home.  I began researching and reading everything I could on renovating these wonderful buildings, and making sure I could get as many 'after' interior shots as possible, so that the Husband could understand what I was talking about and envisage my dream.

The good news is that my Huband is not totally against living in a Church anymore, although he has one major stipulation that there are no graveyards on the grounds - I tell him they would be the quietest neighbors we will ever find - he is not always amused with my sense of humor.

I have learnt from talking to people, that there is a difference of opinion on Church conversions.  Some are against the idea of a “House of God” being used for any other purpose.  Personally, I think converting old buildings to a new use is the best way to ensure their survival.  With the decline of Church attendance and demographic changes of recent times, it seems that there are many more vacant Church buildings that will likely fall into disrepair, unless deconsecrated and adapted to a new use, whether it be residential or commercial.  It breaks my heart to see any old building falling into decay.