Turning St. Frances Into a Home: From Historic Chapel to Living Space

When we bought St. Frances, we knew she was more than just a chapel. Built in 1845, her bones were strong, her history rich, and her presence unforgettable. But for us, she was also a blank canvas—a place waiting to be transformed into a true home. The process has been anything but simple, but every step has been worth it.

The First Challenges

Walking into the church the first time, we felt both excitement and overwhelm. The soaring ceilings and vintage pews carried so much character, but to make it livable, we had to start from the ground up. The most practical need came first: plumbing. For a building that had never been fitted for modern life, this meant running pipes beneath old floors, carefully planning where bathrooms and sinks could be placed, and making sure everything was done without disturbing the chapel’s historic foundation.

Bringing the Heart of the Home Inside

Next came the kitchen. We knew from the start that the altar would be its perfect home—an unexpected, meaningful place for cooking and gathering. Installing cabinets, countertops, and appliances against walls that once framed sermons and prayers felt surreal. The space instantly shifted from sacred-only to sacred-and-lived-in. It became a reminder that nourishment has always been central to St. Frances—once spiritual, now both spiritual and practical.

Color, Warmth, and Personality

Painting came after. Choosing colors for a historic chapel-turned-home was no small task. We wanted to preserve the vintage charm while still adding warmth that spoke of family life. Rolling fresh coats of paint across walls that had stood untouched for decades felt like breathing new life into the space. Each brushstroke was a declaration: this church would not sit silent—it would sing again, this time with laughter, conversations, and love.

The Details That Made It Ours

Beyond the big projects came the countless smaller ones—hanging light fixtures that would illuminate family dinners, sanding down old wood to keep its story alive, and picking out details that blended the past with the present. Every outlet installed, every faucet tightened, every window finished with frosted glass became a milestone in the transformation.

More Than a Home

Turning St. Frances into a home has been about more than making a chapel livable. It’s been about carrying her history forward while allowing her to adapt to the future. Plumbing, kitchens, paint, and all the little details aren’t just renovations—they’re acts of love. This is where the past and present meet, where a building becomes a living memory, and where we find not just shelter, but meaning.