A Kitchen on the Altar: Blending Sacred History with Everyday Living at St. Frances

When we first stepped into St. Frances, we saw a space that had carried nearly two centuries of history. The altar, once a sacred place where voices rose in worship, now stood waiting for its next chapter. Instead of leaving it untouched or simply decorative, we decided to give it a new life—by transforming it into the heart of every home: a kitchen.

Honoring the Past, Creating the Future

The decision to build a kitchen on the altar wasn’t made lightly. We knew this was once a holy space, one that held countless memories of prayer, weddings, baptisms, and community gatherings. By creating a kitchen there, we weren’t erasing history—we were adding to it. Every meal prepared, every conversation shared over coffee, every laugh echoing through the high ceilings would layer new stories on top of the old.

The Beauty of Contrast

There’s something extraordinary about placing a modern kitchen within the frame of an 1845 chapel. The frosted glass windows let in soft, diffused light that brightens polished counters and quiet corners. The towering ceilings make even the simplest breakfast feel like a grand occasion. Cooking on the altar feels like a reminder that nourishment—physical and spiritual—has always belonged in this space.

Gathering as a Form of Worship

In many ways, the altar was always about gathering. It was a place where people came together in faith, in celebration, and in remembrance. Now, as we gather around a stove or share bread at the kitchen table, we’re carrying on that same tradition. It’s a new kind of communion—one rooted in family, love, and everyday life.

A Symbol of Transformation

St. Frances is more than a venue, more than a historic church—it is a living, breathing place of transformation. Turning the altar into a kitchen reflects what this journey has always been about: honoring the past while building something that serves the present. It is unusual, unexpected, and yet perfectly fitting for a place where love, legacy, and life are always at the center.