This old church, with mostly original insides, makes for a unique home
119 Church Road was built in 1871 and now has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 3,645 square feet on 1.72 acres of land.
The former United Church of New Marlborough sits upon a small grassy hill surrounded by trees, steps from the general store.
Built in 1871, the white clapboard church is a part of the Mill River village, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
“If you were going to film a movie at a church in New England, this is the church you would have,’’ said Steven Weisz, a broker at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty who is representing the church as it comes up for sale as a private residence.
There is currently a trend in the New England area of converting historic churches into residential spaces after they close down. It seems that The Steeple, as this church is now referred to, was before its time.
After the population in New Marlborough decreased and two churches merged together in the 1970s, The Steeple was purchased and converted to a private home.
The same family lived in the home from the late ‘70s to the present day, but according to Weisz, they are ready to move on and “let someone else take and appreciate it.’’
Story continues after gallery.
See inside The Steeple:
119 Church Road has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 3,645 square feet of living space on 1.72 acres of land. It is listed for $699,000.
The outside of the building has stayed unchanged, given restrictions from the National Register of Historic Places. Even though there are no restrictions on the interior, much has stayed the same, making for a rather unique living environment.
“Everything [the previous owners] have done in the interior was in respect to the church,’’ Weisz said. “They left the main sanctuary as big as it was, including the stand with the pulpit. They took the pews and repurposed them as different things around the house. Essentially it looks pretty much the same as it did when it was an active church.’’
He added that the new owner should appreciate big open spaces, as the old main sanctuary is a big open room that could be perfect for an artist or musician. There is even still a church organ and a functioning church bell.
“It’s the original 1871 bell cast in New England,’’ Weisz said. “The town doesn’t mind. [They are] so happy to hear the bell ring.’’
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