Home Buying

For $3.85 million, a chapel-turned-house in Groton

The 8,000 square-foot building has six beds, four baths, a four-car garage, and more.

Madore Photography

May 9, 2025

2 minutes to read

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had a lot of love for the chapel at the Groton School. Now, the 8,000-square-foot building, which has been converted into a private residence, is on the market for $3.85 million.

Known as the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for over 100 years, 279 Main Street is now a six-bed, four-bath single-family residence tucked on a corner lot in the center of Groton. Constructed in 1887, it was originally used as the first chapel for the Groton School, and later moved to its current site on horse-drawn rollers.

Dan and Marilyn Schwartz, the owners of the property, purchased it when it was dilapidated and lovingly restored it. She visited the Groton School archives to gather information on the property and purchased books of FDR’s letters to his parents, which featured comments discussing his love of the chapel.

If you’re looking to make the former church your home, you can step inside the large front door to a vestibule with two double doors. Continue into the grand hall, the church’s former nave featuring towering wood ceilings and stained glass windows. The 1,225-square-foot space has a cozy fireplace, while the choir loft above maintains its architectural grandeur.

A kitchen features a large center island, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of counter space. Behind the kitchen, you’ll find steps that lead up to the lofted bedroom under the half-barrel ceiling. It measures 432 square feet.

“It’s kind of a Harry Potter vibe,” Schwartz said. “Anything that we had that was provided or left, that had an architectural vibe, we kept and used.”

Back downstairs, to the left of the kitchen, is a door that leads down a hallway to the former sacristy, which is now the primary bedroom area. There’s a half-barrel ceiling and a large stained glass window, as well as French doors that lead outside. A private bath is spacious and features a dressing area.

A major addition includes the sprawling 619-square-foot dining room off the grand hall, where black-and-white checkered white marble and black granite flooring, and several sets of French doors that stream in natural light. It leads out to a 672-square-foot deck.

A four-car garage was also added. Above the garage, there’s a 2,000-square-foot apartment that could be rented out. In the lower level, you’ll find another 2,000 square feet of additional living space with a kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and its own entrance.