Have you ever dreamed of living in home that was once a church?
Sometimes when I sit in a beautiful church or chapel,
gazing at the amazing architecture and stained glass,
I have often wonder how it would be to live in a church.
Well, that dream came true for one family who bought a church
and is currently renovating it.
The church, Sacred Heart was built in 1919, in Pinehurst, NC.
and was used as such until 1994.
The church was purchased by the Newcomb family in 2014.
It was on the Candlelight Tour of Homes in which Christy (11 Magnolia Lane)
so sweetly invited me and my friend Sherri, to join her in visiting these homes on the tour.
All of the homes were beautifully decorated for Christmas;
however, this particular home left us all breathless as it was not only beautiful
but obviously very unique.
Upon entering the home, we all gasped at the gorgeous beams in the ceilings
and those chandeliers . . . all four of them!
There was a lovely lady playing sweet Carols on the guitar,
as the light of the chandelier glistened above.
I did not come prepared for great photo taking
as usually photographs are not allowed; however,
photographs were allowed in this church/home,
so I whipped out my little point and shoot camera.
This church turned private residence has two dining areas.
One was off the formal living area, as shown above.
The other at the other end of the this very large room
the more casual area . . . and across from the kitchen.
If you look beyond the table to the door in the background,
you will see the door that opens to a bedroom.
I believe they said the loft area above will become a sitting area
for the bedrooms that are currently being created/built.
Can you imagine, moving into a place that already has such great architecture
such as these gothic arches and exposed brick.
They will be doorways leading to bedrooms and bathrooms.
There were exquisite pieces of furniture and artwork throughout the home.
This particular piece housed the T.V.
The area to the left of the cabinet is the kitchen.
The kitchen is still a work in progress, and we were in awe of this stove!
Not to mention these gorgeous original wood floors!
It was a beautiful day.
Can you imagine pulling up to this beautiful church/structure and then
realizing it is your home? How magnificent it must feel.
And thanks Christy for including us to tour some of the beautiful homes
decorated for Christmas in Pinehurst, N.C. with you.
We had asked this sweet lady to take a pic of us….this was the best one.
A little blurry, but we appreciated her taking the picture.
Sherri, Christy, and me!
After seeing this mini tour of this church turned private residence,
would you ever consider buying a church to make it your home?
And speaking of mini tour,
I am so excited to be featured by Jennifer of Town and Country Living today,
as part of her Charming Home Series.
You can see my feature HERE at Jennifer’s!
Have a very Merry day!
Wow, Shirley, this is beautiful. I love the open space! I have mixed feelings as to whether I’d want to live in a church though. I visited Jennifer’s blog this morning, and your home shows beautifully no matter what season. Merry Christmas to you, Shirley!
Rita
Oh my, how beautiful! I think I would if it was that gorgeous. The challenge would be to preserve the uniqueness of the space while making rooms. It would be really cool though!
Merry Christmas Shirley!
I just enjoyed Town and Country’s tour of your beautiful house. And then to get another tour of a church turned house is great. I always love seeing how people convert commercial space to a home. And the local Christmas Tours are such fun when doing it with good friends.
It’s very beautiful and I love the history of the home but I never find vaulted spaces all that cozy…
I’m off to check out your T&C feature!
xox
Loved seeing your tour on Jennifer’s blog – everything looks gorgeous! The church makes a beautiful home – love the ceilings and beams…full of character. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas!!
It absolutely beautiful, Shirley. I am so happy you included this tour!
Sacred Heart Church (J’s parish)was sold a few years ago when the new church building was built. It is now an Italian Restaurant. The matriarch of the family emigrated from Italy many years ago. They began their first restaurant serving wonderful Italian meals. They now have several. The restaurant in J’s old church is amazing. We were very pleased at how they renovated and how it’s used as a family restaurant. The stained glass and other beautiful pieces remain, including a photograph of J’s First Communion Glass from over 60 years ago. When they were renovating they requested memorabilia. Our contribution was the photo. We take our out of town friends there for dinner and J always takes them on a tour, and of course, he shows them that picture.
This sounds so wonderful Pat…how great that they asked J to contribute something that had such great meaning and memories of the Church. If I am ever in the area, would love to dine there with J as our guide!
I have dreamed of renovating a church for my home. My dad was a minister and I could easily feel at home in a church. I would be able to cherish many wonderful memories there. Unfortunately, I don’t think that dream will ever come true at this stage in life.
Just beautiful! And yes, the amazing architecture already in place. Very unique.
This is wonderful Shirley, they have really designed it beautifully, I would feel more loving just living there!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
The Reason for the Season!
Absolutely breathtaking! Oh! And your home too! Shirley is beyond fabulous!!,!! Love the beams and brick in the church!
That is so pretty with those wonderful beams and chandeliers. I must go on some home tours next year.
How absolutely beautiful. Ahhhh just swooning.
Kris
How fabulous is this!!! The architecture is just gorgeous and to have all the stained glas! How special!!! There was a church about a mile from our old house that was sold and the people made it their home but I never got in to see it. I ALWAYS wished I could! Thanks for sharing this beautiful home!!!
That’s so nice that you got to go through there for the tour. What a wonderful home they’ve created! Love the huge baseboard at the floor and of course the ceiling and beams in the main room.
Thank you Shirley for this amazing post. What a wonderful dream come true.
xx Jo Merry Christmas!
I sure could live in that church/house, it’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year. I’m off to Miami/Pembroke Pines for the holiday to visit my guys and my parents. I predict a warm Christmas.
Oh how amazing!! The totally open concept would probably work for an hour with my family. Mama needs a quiet spot.
This is so cool. I would of never thought one would by a church to make it their home, but wow what a stunning job. Plus it seems it has that open floor plan everyone is wanting now days! Merry Christmas Shirley.
I’m still swooning over those chandeliers! It was such a fun afternoon with you two; I’m looking forward to the next time we can get together. We missed you last night but know you had a fun party to attend up there. Sending you lots of Christmas cheer and love from Southern Pines!
Shirley, I have seen in magazines churches that were turned into private residences and it has always intrigued me! What a beautiful home and the architecture is beyond amazing! I love a good tour, and this had to be icing on the cake! Thanks for sharing!
This is definitely a WOWIE!!! I would Love to live in a church turned home! You got fantastic photos of this gorgeous home to share with us.
Trying to catch up on my blog visiting while Bob picks up Megan at the train.
Miss you,
Mary Alice
How unique! Love those chandies all in a row!
What a beautiful home and how nice you were able to take pictures… Usually it is not allowed… Thanks for sharing…