TL;DR
Get backup power and energy gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Whitney Anderson is renovating an abandoned 1898 Methodist church in Michigan into a home, preserving historic features while repairing structural problems. She bought the church with a parsonage for $45,000 and has put close to $200,000 in cash and other renovation resources toward the project, according to reports. The work is ongoing, and Anderson says its financial sustainability remains uncertain.
Whitney Anderson is converting an abandoned 1898 Methodist church in Michigan into a home, a project she calls a “chouse,” after buying it alongside a parsonage for $45,000. Her renovation, which preserves the church’s historic features while addressing structural problems, has attracted attention through her Instagram account and an appearance on Magnolia Network’s Home Reimagined.
Anderson, who grew up in New York City, told CNBC Make It that her interest in the project came from a childhood love of stained glass. She found a Michigan parsonage for sale that included a church, and negotiated the price down from the original $125,000 asking price to $45,000. The source report does not specify the property’s exact location or the date of the sale.
The church still contained its altar, pews and bell tower when Anderson began work. Its age and condition have made the renovation demanding: the report describes a range of structural issues, including water damage that required hired help. Anderson handled demolition and much of the flooring work herself, while preserving elements that reflect the building’s past as a place of worship.
According to the CNBC report summarized by Hunker, Anderson saved $250,000 over several years before searching for a property and paid cash for the purchase. Her renovation cash flow reached close to $200,000, with the project supported in part by income from social media, sponsorships, and free materials and labor. Those figures do not establish a final total project cost, and the report does not break down the value of donated work or supplies.
The Costs Behind a Church Conversion
Anderson’s project shows the difference between a low purchase price and an affordable renovation. The church and parsonage cost $45,000, but the reported renovation cash flow was close to $200,000, reflecting the expense and labor involved in making an old building usable as a home. Structural repairs, including water-damage work, added tasks she could not complete herself.
The project also depends on circumstances not available to every buyer: Anderson had built substantial savings, paid cash for the property, completed some work herself, and received support tied to her online following and television exposure. The report presents her experience as one individual renovation, not a typical cost estimate or a guarantee that a similar conversion will be financially viable for others.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A 1898 Church and a Long Renovation
The building began as a Methodist church in 1898, near the end of the Victorian era. Its original features attracted Anderson, but they also form part of a building that needed repairs. The source report does not detail which historic elements have been restored, what changes have been completed, or whether the church has received any formal historic designation.
Anderson has shared the work through @houseofvitrail on Instagram. The attention also led to sponsorships and an appearance on Magnolia Network’s Home Reimagined, according to the source report. Those sources of support have helped fund or supply parts of the project, but there is no complete accounting of how much each contributed.
“It’s still 50/50 if this is going to be a sustainable chouse … or if it’s going to be what bankrupts me.”
— Whitney Anderson, speaking in a video interview with CNBC Make It
historic church home renovation tools
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
The Project’s Final Cost Is Unknown
The renovation is described as ongoing, but the source report does not state a completion date or provide a current account of which rooms and systems are finished. It is also unclear whether the reported close to $200,000 includes all labor, donated materials, sponsorship value, or only cash expenditures. The available information does not establish the church’s final market value or whether the project will ultimately be sustainable for Anderson.
The report also does not provide details on permits, inspections, the building’s current residential status, or the scope of required structural repairs. Those points matter to understanding what remains before the former church can function fully as a home, but they are not addressed in the supplied material.
water damage repair kit for old buildings
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Renovation Progress and Financial Outlook
Anderson’s renovation remains in progress, with the eventual completion and financial outcome not specified in the report. Readers can follow the work through @houseofvitrail, where she has documented the project. Any assessment of the finished home’s total cost, remaining repairs, or long-term sustainability will depend on updates from Anderson or further reporting.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Who is renovating the abandoned church?
Whitney Anderson is converting the Michigan church into a home she calls a “chouse.” She has shared the renovation on Instagram under @houseofvitrail.
How much did Anderson pay for the property?
Anderson negotiated the price for a Michigan parsonage that came with the church down to $45,000, from an original listing price of $125,000, according to the source report.
How much has the renovation cost?
The report says Anderson’s renovation cash flow reached close to $200,000. It does not give a full breakdown or clarify whether that figure includes the value of donated labor and materials.
Is the church renovation finished?
No completion date is reported. The project is described as ongoing, and Anderson has said she is unsure whether it will prove financially sustainable.
Source: rss
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Picks
long weekend sales
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
