With their breathtaking stained-glass windows, original stonework and double-height ceilings, disused churches have the bones to be transformed into awe-inspiring homes – as these incredible projects prove. Steeped in history and overflowing with wow-factor features, these empty ecclesiastical buildings are now one-of-a-kind residences with no shortage of soul. Click or scroll on to step inside and take a pew...
Sitting in the heart of Cherry Creek in Denver, Colorado, this converted church may look like a place of worship but it has all the trappings of a family home. Last sold for just under $3.2 million (£2.5m) back in 2021, the building underwent a huge reconstruction in 2008 to turn it into a cosy residence. Sitting behind secure gates, the heavenly house comes with a whole host of luxurious amenities as well as access to a private underground garage.
Inside, the three-bedroom, four-bathroom building has over 5,300 square feet of interior space decked out in luxury finishes. The main living space is open-plan and features 35-foot-high ceilings, sociable sitting areas, a modern kitchen and a spacious dining area. The arched doorways and beautiful stained-glass windows are a reminder of the building's previous life.
We love how the church's original ornate woodwork has been echoed across the island and the range cooker hood in the kitchen. Elsewhere, suspended marble travertine stairs lead up to the master bedroom, which comes complete with an ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobes. The incredible home also features a wine cellar, a fully-furnished beautiful basement and an exercise room.
Listed for sale in 2021, this incredible three-storey church conversion in West London is nothing short of breathtaking. The floor plan includes four ensuite bedrooms, an open-plan living area, two kitchens, a laundry room, an office and even a gym, but it's the sheer scale of the interior that's the real show-stopper.
Lined with windows, the whitewashed vaulted ceiling frames a spectacular, light-filled main living space. Original features of the church including stained-glass detailing and marble pillars have also been retained during the conversion, offering a treasure trove of architectural gems to draw the eye.
The 6,193-square-foot former church was last listed for just under $7.5 million (£6m) and we can see why. The entire top floor has been devoted to the master suite, which is framed by a stunning beamed ceiling inset with skylights. The lavish spread also includes a luxurious bathroom and two dressing rooms. Talk about heavenly!
Spaces like the kitchen and the lower living room offer a more contemporary feel, with state-of-the-art amenities and a neutral colour palette. Brought bang up to date, the home even has zoned heating and cooling systems and a recessed lighting system through. The beautiful residence was last listed for just under $1.6 million (£1.3m) back in 2019.
This former church found in London’s affluent Chelsea postcode was originally designed by Victorian architect Edward Blore to serve as the Chapel of the College of St Mark. The striking building, commissioned by Derwent Coleridge, the son of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, was completed in 1841.
Inside you’ll find numerous well-preserved original features, such as the arched windows seen here in the reception room, while design choices such as the dramatic hanging candelabra provide a nod to the property’s former ecclesiastical life. Alongside five double bedrooms and four bathrooms, there's also a swimming pool, cinema and gym within this unique church conversion on London's famous Fulham Road.
Listed for sale in 2021 for $18.9 million (£15m), the interiors have been carefully curated by Thorp Design, from fabric-coated walls and custom woodwork to feature fireplaces and statement lighting. Nestled in the dome of the building, we love how the home's former life is very much alive in this bedroom, with its colourful stained-glass windows and exquisite vaulted ceiling.
This formerly religious structure in Auckland, New Zealand, was originally a Salvation Army church hall before it was transformed into a modern property. Converted a decade ago, the beautiful clapboard church is now a stylish six-bedroom, four-bathroom home.
Inside, the attention to detail is second to none and the hallway is no exception. The stylish oak, steel and glass staircase connects the ground floor and upper levels, where the bedrooms are situated. The lower level comes complete with stained wood flooring and a fresh all-white interior scheme.
The open-plan layout is flooded with natural light from bi-folding doors that lead outside to the courtyard garden. The stunning space features a decked area flanked by the converted Sunday School building, which now makes the perfect guest house for visitors. How's that for a reincarnation?
Glädjens Kapell, which translates as Joy Chapel, sits in the heart of the Swedish village of Tärnsjö. Surrounded by verdant woodlands filled with mushrooms and berries, it's the ideal rural retreat if you're looking to escape the rat race. Previously a Baptist church, it was built in 1889 and still retains many of its original features.
Inside, the chapel's ground floor has an airy, open-plan layout with a double-height space at its centre. Large windows allow light to drench the whitewashed main living area, which spans nearly 4,000 square feet. Upstairs, the galleried first floor has been repurposed and now holds bedrooms.
The unique property has been sensitively modernised with a country-style kitchen, featuring original wood flooring and a vintage centre island with wrought-iron details. While the building may be old, it's packed with modern appliances to help its new residents cook up a storm in style.
This 19th-century chapel sits in the historic Suffolk village of Gislingham, England. The unassuming brick building has undergone an amazing makeover and renovation by architect Andrew Hughes, who's created a breathtaking modern home from the historic structure.
The four-bedroom house has a study, kitchen, dining room and a double-height living room, which was originally the chapel nave. The main living space features beautiful oak parquet flooring and a large wood-burning stove, as well as an exquisite wooden mezzanine that was once the choir gallery.
To make room for all four bedrooms, the chapel had to be enlarged with two timber-clad extensions that echo the shape of the chapel, while their black-stained timber cladding offers a bold contrast to the original building. Throughout the house, the architect has been careful to retain the building's heritage details, finding the perfect balance between new and old.
Located in an idyllic seaside village in Maine, this historic former Methodist church has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind four-level residence. From the pastel blue exterior to the beautiful bell tower, this stunning structure has plenty of attractive features on offer, as well as a storied history. Built in 1875, it's one of the region's landmark historical properties.
Previously on the market for $2.8 million (£2.2m), there's a vast 9,500 square feet of living space to explore inside and each level is accessible via elevator. The main living space features a gourmet kitchen and a living room with towering ceilings, while four bedrooms occupy this floor too. There's also a self-contained guest apartment with two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room and a separate entrance.
Here is one of the home's eight bathrooms, complete with a roll-top bath and stunning arched windows that frame incredible views over Rockport Harbour and Camden Hills beyond. Outside, there are three decks that benefit from incredible countryside views – perfect for dining alfresco.
Formerly a Victorian place of worship, The Old Chapel has been converted into an impressive three-bedroom home. With its timber-trimmed gable, large arched windows and olive-green woodwork, the characterful stone building is brimming with country charm and kerb appeal.
Offering a compact floor plan of 915 square feet, the property's double doors open into an airy sitting room. From there, the floor plan leads into the stylish modern kitchen with modern cabinetry, grey metro tiles and a large south-facing window that bathes the space in natural light.
A beautiful metal spiral staircase leads up to the home's mezzanine bedroom on the top floor, which beautifully utilises the chapel's original vaulted ceiling. In a nod to the home's heritage, the historic beams have been left raw and exposed, balancing out the whitewashed, contemporary interior. Two further bedrooms are situated on the lower floor.
The appropriately named Church House operated as a place of worship up until the 1980s before it began its transformation into a family home. Sat in half an acre of secluded gardens, the impressive building dates all the way back to 1843 and because of its extensive history, it's Category C listed.
What used to be the vestry is now a breathtaking open-plan family room, with the church's original stained-glass windows overlooking the south-facing garden. Overall, the extraordinary conversion project covers an expansive 6,581 square feet, so there's no shortage of space for its new occupants to enjoy.
The vast windows that line the renovated tower frame the tranquil surrounding countryside to perfection. Outside, the property's large garden has two entertaining areas, including a decked terrace where the new owners' can bask in the evening sun. Elsewhere, there's a greenhouse, garden shed, log store, two outbuildings, a coal store and a cellar.
Nestled behind trees in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina lies a heritage treasure listed on the National Historic Registry. The converted church, which dates back to 1903, sits right in the corner of the Old Village district. From its distinctive red roof to the arched porch, the picturesque property has no end of kerb appeal.
The former church was transformed into a stylish one-storey house in 2015 and the results are impressive. Featuring four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it's certainly big enough for a family to stretch out. The main home encompasses a generous 3,850 square feet, while the separate guest suite provides an extra 1,500 square feet of space.
Old-world charm abounds in the former religious building, which sold for just under $2.3 million (£1.8m) in 2016. Historic features like the original church windows and sweeping staircases are balanced out by state-of-the-art amenities and appliances here in the kitchen. Outside, the house has a beautiful garden that's perfect for outdoor living in the warmer months.
This 150-year-old church conversion is a masterclass in combining old and new architectural styles. Listed in 2022 for $2.1 million (£1.7m), the majestic structure is located in the leafy southwest London suburb of Teddington. Originally constructed in 1873, the building is overflowing with history and stunning design details.
Inside, Gothic features merge with contemporary design: statement pillars and arched stained-glass windows stand proudly alongside a new sweeping curved staircase. One of the first modern parish churches to be built in Teddington, the building sadly fell into disrepair until it was bought by local award-winning developers and transformed into six stylish duplex apartments.
The project has clearly been sensitively handled, with reverence for the structure's heritage. Upstairs, this beautiful bedroom features an exposed brick column and part of an original stone archway, while a large floor-to-ceiling glass window frames the church's stunning stained-glass windows. Imagine waking up to that view!
Built in 1885, this stunning Catholic church has been lovingly converted into a covetable Mediterranean home on two city lots in Wisconsin. Listed for sale in 2022 for just over $287,000 (£228k), this unique former church now features a garage and beautifully landscaped gardens framed by wooden picket fences.
Breathtaking original architecture and hard maple wood floors dominate the home's interior, where you can marvel at the original 20-foot domed ceilings and Gothic arched windows. The open-plan living and kitchen area is a riot of colour and historic features, with new life breathed into the heritage structure thanks to its bold, distinctive makeover.
The huge bathroom is decked out in a similarly vibrant style and features a walk-in shower and a claw-foot copper bathtub. Fortunately, while many elements hark back to the 1880s, a new furnace was fitted in 2011 and a new roof was installed in 2020, so the home's structure is fit for modern habitation.
This beautiful church conversion is located on a pretty, tree-lined street in northwest London – and if you think its exterior is charming just wait until you step inside. The top floor has been transformed into a one-bedroom duplex apartment brimming with period features and cosy interiors imbued with character.
Inside, the historic brick walls have been left untouched, contrasting beautifully against the fresh white walls and large, ornate church windows. The reception room offers a large open-plan living room with a contemporary kitchen nestled in the corner. One of the home's quirkier features, you’ll also find access to the church bell tower from a corner cubby here.
Upstairs, you'll find a beautiful double bedroom and ensuite bathroom, which are tucked into the eaves of the heritage structure. With vaulted wooden beams and whitewashed brick walls, the cosy slumber spot is a stunning place to lay your head. The unique conversion project was last listed for $874,000 (£695k) in 2022.
Sitting on two acres of land, this remarkable four-bedroom residence was once a seat of worship – a Catholic church known as St Francis Xavier. In an impressive feat of design, the exterior of the original church building has been well preserved, while a contemporary extension has been skillfully added at the rear.
Last on the market back in 2017, the conversion project has kept the original interior architecture of the church, including the ornate windows made especially for the church’s centenary, but modern additions, such as a sweeping plaster staircase, have been sensitively handled to create a beautiful balance between old and new.
In the kitchen, the original marble altar remains, ingeniously reimagined as a kitchen island, while spectacular stained-glass windows illuminate the space below. Meanwhile, at the back of the property there's a spacious garden complete with a fountain and the original bell tower. Now that's a home with real soul!
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